JLPT N2・N3 Grammar – Difference between”〜わりに” and “〜にしては”

Table of Contents

1. Difference between”〜わりに” and “〜にしては”
2. 〜わりに
3. 〜にしては
4. 「〜わりに」VS「〜にしては」
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: Can “〜わりに” and “〜にしては” be used interchangeably?

A: These two expressions compare something to its related aspect, expressing the speaker’s criticism or evaluation. While they have almost the same meaning, there are subtle differences.

〜わりに (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
When compared to the expectation derived from fact A, B falls short/meets/exceeds it.

[Rules]　
[Ｖ] Verb Plain form＋わりに
[A] い Adjective Plain form＋わりに
[Na] な Adjective＋わりに　　
　　 な Adjective＋である＋わりに
[Ｎ] Noun＋の＋わりに　

[Point]
This expression is used when the speaker feels surprised or pleased because the situation does not match their expectations or standards.

① It is used with abstract and broad terms or words indicating degree, such as price, taste, age, worry, or study.

② It is used with adjectives or abstract words that describe appearance, such as young (若わかい), cool(かっこいい), beautiful(美人びじん), etc.

[Examples]
[V] ダイエットを始はじめると言いっていたわりによく食たべてるね。
　 Despite saying you were going to start a diet, you eat a lot, don’t you?

[A] ジョンさんは若わかいわりに元気げんきがないです。
　 John seems lacking in energy for someone so young.

[Na] この店みせは有名ゆうめいなわりにいつでも予約よやくが取とれます。
　 Despite being famous, this restaurant always has available reservations.

[N] この店みせは値段ねだんのわりにおいしくないね。
　 This restaurant isn’t very tasty considering its price, is it?

〜にしては (JLPT N2)

[Meaning]
Compared to the general image derived from fact A, B is different. (B includes some evaluative content.)

[Rules]　
[Ｖ] Verb Plain form＋にしては
[Ｎ] Noun＋にしては

[Point]
This expression is used when one feels a sense of discomfort due to a situation that differs from what is generally expected.

It cannot be used with adjectives or words that represent abstract scales, such as young (若わかい), cool(かっこいい), price, taste, length, or weight.

[Examples]
[V] 中国ちゅうごくに3年ねんも住すんでたにしては木村きむらさんの中国ちゅうごく語ごはあまり上手じょうずじゃないです。
　 Despite having lived in China for three years, Mr. Kimura’s Chinese isn’t very good.

[N] 1月がつにしてはあまり寒さむくないね。
　 It’s not very cold for January, is it?

[N] 山本やまもとさんは大人おとなにしては、趣味しゅみが子供こどもっぽいです。
　 Mr. Yamamoto’s hobbies are childish for an adult.

〜だけに VS 〜だけあって

In the following cases, it is not unnatural to interchange the two, but there is a subtle difference in the speaker’s feelings.

[Examples]
ここは都会とかいのわりに人ひとが少すくないです。　
ここは都会とかいにしては人ひとが少すくないです。
Despite being in the city, there are few people here.

Let’s consider the differences between these two.

When using “〜わりに,” the speaker’s feeling of “more/less than expected” is included.

In this sentence, it reflects that the number of people was less than expected, considering the place is a “city.”

On the other hand, when using “〜にしては,” the speaker is comparing it to “general expectations or standards.” Therefore, this sentence describes the characteristic of having fewer people compared to a typical city.

「AわりにB」
A = Fact
B = Compared to what the speaker expects from that fact, whether it is more or less than expected

「AにしてはB」
A = Fact
B = How it compares to the general image derived from that fact

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[〜わりに]

When using words that have a range or degree, or abstract words, “〜わりに” is used.

[Examples]
ここの料理りょうりは安やすいわりにとてもおいしいです。
The food here is very tasty for such a cheap price.
⇒ “Cheap” is abstract because it is not a specific price and perceptions vary from person to person.

たくさん勉強べんきょうしたわりにいい点数てんすうではありませんでした。
I didn’t get good grades despite studying a lot.
⇒ “Many” is an abstract expression, so “〜わりに” is used.

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[〜にしては]

For words that indicate a sense of time or degree, both “にして” and “のわりに” can be used.

[Examples]　
◯ 4月がつにしてはまだ少すこし寒さむいね。
◯ 4月がつのわりにまだ少すこし寒さむいね。
It’s still a bit chilly for April, isn’t it?
⇒ It represents a specific period, such as “April.”

However, “にしては” is used when it is uncertain whether something is true or not.

Q：あの人ひと、初はじめて見みた。新入しんにゅう社員しゃいんかな。
A：どうだろう、でも新入しんにゅう社員しゃいんにしては落ち着お　ついてるね。
Q: “I saw that person for the first time. Is he a new employee?”
A: “I’m not sure, but he seems pretty calm for a new employee.”
⇒ The listener doesn’t know if the person is a new employee, but they are talking about how the person differs from their image of a new employee.
 
Q：今日きょうは夕方ゆうがたから雨あめらしいよ。
A：そうなの？でも雨あめが降ふるにしては空そらがきれいだね。
Q: “I heard it’s going to rain this evening.”
A: “Really? But the sky looks too clear for it to rain.”
⇒ The listener isn’t sure if it’s going to rain, but they are talking about how the sky looks different from their image of how it looks when it rains.

Summary

〜わりに

• It expresses whether it is above or below what the speaker expects.
• It can be used with abstract words.

〜にしては

• It is compared with general expectations or standards.
• It is used when speaking about something that is uncertain or unclear whether it is true.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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