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 Plain form＋わりに
[Ｎ] Noun＋の＋わりに　

[Point]
① It is used together with abstract and broad terms
… price (値段ねだん)・taste (味あじ)・age (年齢ねんれい)・worry (心配しんぱいする)・studying (勉強べんきょうする)　etc.　

② It is also used with abstract terms related to appearance
… 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] 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]
① It cannot be used with words that represent abstract measures.
…price (値段ねだん), taste (味あじ), length (長ながさ), weight (重おもさ), etc.

② It is used with specific things.
…January to December (1月がつ～12月がつ), adults (大人おとな), children (子こども)

[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

---

[〜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.

---

[〜にしては]

It is not used with abstract words, but it can be used with words like dates, adults, and children.

[Examples]　
4月がつにしては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.”

× 春はるにしてはまだ少すこし寒さむいね。
◯ 春はるのわりにまだ少すこし寒さむいね。
It’s still a bit chilly for spring, isn’t it?
⇒ It can be used with dates, but since seasons are abstract words, “〜わりに” is used.

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 cannot be used with abstract words but can be used with specific words.

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.

---