GRAMMAR DETAIL

のに

even though; despite

Connects a fact with a contrasting or unexpected result rather than the result that fact would normally suggest.

Examples

雨が降っているのに、子どもたちは外で遊んでいる。

Even though it is raining, the children are playing outside.

約束したのに、彼は来なかった。

Even though he promised, he did not come.

よく勉強したのに、答えを間違えた。

Even though I studied hard, I got the answer wrong.

Structure: Plain verbs and i-adjectives take のに; nouns and na-adjective stems take なのに.
Basic usage: 約束したのに、彼は来なかった。 contrasts the expected result of a promise with what actually happened.

Fact and supposition
- 雨が降っているのに出かける contrasts actual rain with going out. 雨が降っても出かける can also be hypothetical before it has started raining.
Regret at the end of a sentence
- Ending at 約束したのに can leave the unexpected result unstated while expressing regret or dissatisfaction. It does not deny that the promise was made.