How to tell them apart
にひきかえ highlights a stark, often surprising contrast between two things, typically implying one falls short of or differs sharply from the other. に比べて is more neutral, simply inviting a comparison of measurable qualities. Use にひきかえ for dramatic pairings like 贅沢な食事にひきかえ貧しい食事, and に比べて for factual comparisons like 去年に比べて雨が多い.
- にひきかえ Use にひきかえ when you want to stress a sharp, dramatic contrast between two things.
- に比べると/比べて Use に比べると/比べて when making a neutral, factual comparison of qualities or amounts.
| 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 sets up a sharp contrast between two things, highlighting that while one has a certain quality, the other is quite the opposite. It attaches to a noun plus の, or to a plain-form clause ending in のに, as in のにひきかえ. The tone is written-style and formal.
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兄は穏やかなのにひきかえ、弟はすぐに怒り出す。
In sharp contrast to my older brother, who is calm, my younger brother flies into a rage at the slightest thing.
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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.
に比べると/比べて ni beruto bete
When measured against something else; relative to
に比べると/比べて sets up a comparison between two things, meaning one item is measured against another. It follows a noun, either directly with に比べる or with と比べる, and the compared clause typically ends in a plain form. Both に比べて and と比べて appear in the examples.
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彼の最近作の小説は以前のに比べて長足の進歩を示している。
His latest novel marks a great advance on his previous ones.
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中国人と比べて、日本人は外国語が不得手である。
Compared with the Chinese, the Japanese are poor linguists.
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.