Used at the beginning of a clause to express contrast or unexpected result, similar to 'and yet' or 'but'. Often follows a statement of fact or situation.
He studied very hard. And yet, he failed the exam.
Even though he's just a child, he talks like an adult.
天気予報は晴れだった。なのに、雨が降ってきた。
The weather forecast said it would be sunny. But it started raining.
Even though I like him, I can't be honest about it.
I prepared really hard. And yet, I still failed.
and yet; but even so; nevertheless
Derived from the copula だ (da) in its adnominal form な (na) combined with the particle のに (noni), meaning 'although'. The initial だ is often omitted in modern usage, leaving なのに as a fixed conjunction.