にひきかえ

In Contrast to

Level 5Sounds Like nihikikae

Used to emphasize a stark disparity between two entities or situations, often carrying the speaker's subjective feelings like envy, surprise, or dissatisfaction.

How It Works

にひきかえ is an advanced (N1-level) formal expression used to contrast two things that are strikingly different. While it can be translated as 'in contrast to' or 'unlike,' it carries a much stronger nuance than neutral markers like に対して.

Variations:
This pattern can also appear as にひきかえて or using kanji as に引き換え.

Key Characteristics:

  • Subjective Evaluation: It often reflects the speaker's personal judgment or feelings (praise or criticism). For example, comparing a hardworking sibling to a lazy one.
  • Observable Facts: It is used to compare existing facts or people. Because it describes a state of affairs, the second half of the sentence cannot contain expressions of the speaker's will, requests, commands, or suggestions (e.g., 〜てください or 〜ましょう).
  • Register: It is primarily used in formal writing, speeches, or literary contexts.

Grammatical Structure:

  • Nouns: [Noun] + にひきかえ (e.g., 兄にひきかえ)
  • Verbs: [Plain Form] + の + にひきかえ
  • い-Adjectives: [Plain Form] + の + にひきかえ
  • な-Adjectives: [〜な / 〜である] + の + にひきかえ (e.g., 静かなのにひきかえ)
  • Sentence Starter: それにひきかえ (In contrast to that...)

Examples (4)

  1. 働き者の兄にひきかえ、弟は遊んでばかりいる。

    In contrast to his hardworking older brother, the younger brother does nothing but play.

    Word by Word: Hardworking brother in-contrast-to, younger-brother as-for playing only is-doing.

    This highlights a sharp disparity in behavior between two siblings, likely implying the speaker's disapproval of the younger brother.

  2. 昨日の大雨にひきかえ、今日は気持ちのいい秋晴れだ。

    Unlike yesterday's heavy rain, today is a pleasant, clear autumn day.

    Word by Word: Yesterday's heavy-rain in-contrast-to, today as-for pleasant autumn-weather is.

    Here, the pattern emphasizes the dramatic change in weather conditions from one day to the next.

  3. 前作が世界中で大ヒットしたのにひきかえ、今回の新作は全く売れていない。

    While the previous work was a worldwide hit, in stark contrast, this new release isn't selling at all.

    Word by Word: Previous-work (subject) world-in big-hit did nominalizer in-contrast-to, this-time's new-work as-for at-all selling-is-not.

    When using a verb, the nominalizer の must be added before にひきかえ.

  4. 近所の子供たちが元気なのにひきかえ、うちの子は家でゲームばかりしている。

    In contrast to the neighborhood children being so energetic, my child does nothing but play games at home.

    Word by Word: Neighborhood children (subject) energetic-are nominalizer in-contrast-to, my child as-for home at games only is-doing.

    For な-adjectives like 元気（げんき）, you must use な before the nominalizer の.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing it with 'in exchange for' (と引き換えに).

    新しいスマホを買うにひきかえ、古いスマホを売った。
    新しいスマホを買うのと引き換えに、古いスマホを売った。

    にひきかえ is for contrast or comparison. If you mean 'in exchange for' or 'trading A for B', you must use と引き換えに（とひきかえに）.

  • Using it for neutral, objective comparisons.

    このグラフにひきかえ、人口が増えています。
    このグラフに対して、人口が増えています。

    にひきかえ is subjective and evaluative. For neutral data comparison or objective statements, に対して is more appropriate.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

にひきかえLevel 5In Contrast to

Learn This First

To understand 'にひきかえ', learners need a solid grasp of the particle 'に' as a target marker and basic comparison concepts. It is a formal expression used to sharply contrast two nouns or situations, so understanding how Japanese handles contrastive structures is essential.

Words in This Pattern

引き換える