わりに
Considering
わりに (or わりには) means 'considering,' 'for,' or 'despite.' It highlights a gap between what you would expect from a certain situation (like price, age, or effort) and the actual outcome.
How It Works
The expression わりに is a versatile Level 3 pattern used to point out a discrepancy. While often translated as 'despite,' it specifically focuses on the proportion (the literal meaning of 割り（わり）) between two things.
1. Formation:
- Verbs: Plain form (Dictionary, た form, or ない form) + わりに
- い-Adjectives: Plain form + わりに
- な-Adjectives: Stem + な + わりに
- Nouns: Noun + の + わりに
2. Nuance and Usage:
Unlike some other 'despite' patterns, わりに is neutral. It can be used for positive surprises (e.g., 'It's delicious for being so cheap') or negative ones (e.g., 'It's broken already despite being expensive'). Adding the particle は (わりには) adds extra emphasis to the speaker's surprise or contrast.
3. The 'Scale' Requirement:
This pattern works best with words that imply a range or scale. For example, 'age' (young to old), 'price' (cheap to expensive), or 'effort' (little to much). It is less natural for binary, pass/fail situations.
Examples (5)
- 彼は年のわりに若く見える。
He looks young for his age.
Word by Word: He (topic) age (possessive) proportion-in youngly looks.
Here, 'age' is the standard. The result (looking young) is unexpected given that standard.
- このレストランは、値段のわりに料理が美味しい。
This restaurant's food is delicious considering the price.
Word by Word: This restaurant (topic), price (possessive) proportion-in cooking (subject) is-delicious.
The speaker is surprised by the high quality of the food relative to the low or average price.
- あまり勉強しなかったわりに、テストの点数が良かった。
Considering I didn't study much, my test score was good.
Word by Word: Not-much studied-not proportion-in, test (possessive) score (subject) was-good.
The 'effort' (not studying) is the baseline, making the 'good score' a surprising result.
- このバッグは高いわりに、すぐ壊れてしまった。
Despite being expensive, this bag broke quickly.
Word by Word: This bag (topic) is-expensive proportion-in, quickly broke (regret).
This shows a negative discrepancy: the high price should imply durability, but it didn't.
- 初めて作ったわりに、上手にできましたね。
For your first time making it, you did a great job, didn't you?
Word by Word: First-time made proportion-in, skillfully could-do (confirmation).
The standard is 'a beginner's first attempt,' which usually results in mistakes, making the success noteworthy.
Common Mistakes
Using it for binary (pass/fail) outcomes instead of scales.
毎日勉強したわりに、不合格だった。毎日勉強したわりに、点数が低かった。Passing or failing is a binary result. わりに is used for scales like 'scores' or 'grades.' Use のに for simple contradictions like failing despite studying.
Using にしては with adjectives.
安いにしては美味しい。安いわりに美味しい。にしては can only follow nouns or specific numbers. Only わりに can follow adjectives like 安い（やすい）.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand わりに (Considering/Despite), you need to know how to modify nouns using verbs and adjectives, as わりに behaves grammatically like a noun. You also need to know how to use the particle 'の' to connect two nouns. Conceptually, it is helpful to understand basic contrastive markers like 'のに' to appreciate how 'わりに' specifically highlights a discrepancy between a standard expectation and the actual result.
Related Patterns
- にしてはFor a
Similar to わりに but requires a specific, concrete standard (like a specific number or name) and cannot be used with adjectives.
Level 3 - くせにEven Though (Critical)
A much more critical and subjective version of 'despite,' often used to insult or look down on someone.
Level 3 - ほどTo the Extent/about
Also deals with degrees and scales, but is used to show extent or comparison rather than a discrepancy.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice わりに in Bubblegum
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