How to tell them apart
にひきかえ expresses a sharp and often disappointing contrast between two things, where one is notably inferior to the other. に比べると is neutral and only sets a standard for comparing amount or quality. For example, say 隣の贅沢な食事にひきかえ、うちは貧しい食事だ for dramatic contrast, but say 去年に比べると今年は雨が多い for a factual comparison.
- にひきかえ Use にひきかえ to stress a sharp, surprising contrast where one side falls short of the other.
- に比べると/比べて Use に比べると/比べて to make a neutral comparison of amount or quality against a standard.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| にひきかえ nihikikae | used to draw a sharp contrast between two things | N1 |
| に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete | When measured against something else; relative to | N3 |
にひきかえ nihikikae
used to draw a sharp contrast between two things
にひきかえ highlights a sharp, often unexpected contrast between a noun in the first part and the situation in the main clause. It follows a noun directly, as in 期待にひきかえ or 去年にひきかえ, and is common in formal writing and news style. The main clause often describes a disappointing or opposite result, so it is stronger than a neutral comparison like に比べて.
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去年の好調にひきかえ、今年の売り上げは厳しい。
In stark contrast to last year's strong performance, this year's sales are tough.
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姉の几帳面さにひきかえ、私は物事を適当に済ませがちだ。
Unlike my meticulous older sister, I tend to finish things half-heartedly.
に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete
When measured against something else; relative to
に比べて and に比べると mark the standard used for comparison, with a meaning like compared with or relative to. They follow a noun directly, as in 前作に比べて or 太陽に比べると, and come from the verb 比べる meaning to compare. The two forms are interchangeable in most cases, and the comparison often pairs with words showing degree like ずっと or もっと.
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物価の上昇率に比べて、賃金が上がっていないんだ。
Compared with the rate of increase in prices, wages aren't going up much.
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彼の最近作は前作に比べて進歩がある。
His latest work is an advance on his previous one.
にひきかえ and に比べると/比べて are JLPT N3–N1 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.