JLPT N1・N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜に比べて” and “〜にひきかえ”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between”〜に比べて” and “〜にひきかえ”
2. Aに比べてB
3. AにひきかえB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜に比べて” and “〜にひきかえ”?
A: Both are words used to compare two things, but there are differences in how they are compared.
Aに比べてB (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
To compare A and B and describe their differences.
[Rule]
[N] Noun＋に比べて
[Point]
You can also use forms such as “Aと比べてB”, “Aに比べるとB” and “Aと比べるとB”.
[Examples]
大阪に比べて奈良は緑が多いです。
Compared to Osaka, Nara has more greenery.
去年に比べると今年の桜は咲くのが早いです。
Compared to last year, the cherry blossoms bloomed earlier this year.
A社の製品に比べてわたしたちの製品は電気代がとても安くなります。
Compared to Company A’s products, our products are much cheaper in terms of electricity costs.
若い頃と比べると最近あまり食べられなくなってきました。
Compared to when I was younger, I can’t eat as much these days.
AにひきかえB (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
To compare A and B and show that they are significantly different.
[Rule]
[V] Verb plain form＋の＋にひきかえ
[Na] な adjective＋の＋にひきかえ
な adjective＋である＋の＋にひきかえ
[N] Noun＋な＋の＋にひきかえ
Noun＋である＋の＋にひきかえ
[Examples]
去年はたくさん雨が降ったのにひきかえ、今年は全く降りませんね。
In contrast to last year, when it rained a lot, this year it hasn’t rained at all.
兄は勉強が好きであるのにひきかえ、弟は勉強が大嫌いです。
In contrast to the older brother, who loves studying, the younger brother hates it.
お酒が大好きな父にひきかえ、母は全くお酒を飲みません。
In contrast to my father, who loves alcohol, my mother doesn’t drink at all.
勉強がよくできる兄の太郎にひきかえ、妹の花子は全然できないのはどうしてだろう。
In contrast to Taro, who is good at studying, his sister Hanako isn’t good at it at all. I wonder why.
Let’s Compare
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
[Ａに比べてＢ]
It is used for objective and simple comparisons, as well as comparisons between the past and the present.
Since it conveys the differences between A and B without including personal feelings, it is often used in product descriptions and public settings.
[Examples]
太郎さんに比べて二郎さんは背が低いです。
Compared to Taro, Jiro is shorter. It has become more convenient compared to the past.
昔に比べて便利になったものだ。
It has become more convenient compared to the past.
⇒ Both are simple comparison sentences.
A社の製品に比べてわたしたちの製品は電気代がとても安くなります。
Compared to Company A’s products, our products are much cheaper in terms of electricity costs.
⇒ This is a product description.
[ＡにひきかえＢ]
It conveys the significant differences between A and B subjectively.
Additionally, this phrase carries nuances of both praise and criticism.
[Examples]
去年はたくさん雨が降ったのにひきかえ、今年は全く降りませんね。
In contrast to last year, when it rained a lot, this year it hasn’t rained at all.
⇒ It shows the significant difference between last year and this year.
勉強がよくできる兄の太郎にひきかえ、妹の花子は全然できないのはどうしてだろう。
In contrast to Taro, who is good at studying, his sister Hanako isn’t good at it at all. I wonder why.
⇒ It compares the older brother and the younger sister.
It carries a nuance of praising the brother, who is good at studying and criticizing Hanako, who is not.
“Aに比べてB” is used for subjective comparisons, while “AにひきかえB” is used for objective comparisons.
Therefore, in cases where both interpretations are possible, using either one is not unnatural.
[Examples]
お酒が大好きな父に比べて、母は全くお酒を飲みません。
お酒が大好きな父にひきかえ、母は全くお酒を飲みません。
In contrast to my father, who loves alcohol, my mother doesn’t drink at all.
However, “Aに比べてB” can be replaced with “〜より,” making it a simple comparison.
On the other hand, “AにひきかえB” means “in complete contrast” or “significantly different,” so the things being compared are completely opposite in nature.
Summary
[Ａに比べてＢ]
- It is used for objective and simple comparisons.
- You can convey the differences between A and B without including personal feelings.
[ＡにひきかえＢ]
- It is subjective and conveys the significant differences between A and B.
- It can also be used to compare and highlight the distinctions between two subjects.
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.
A. に比べて
鈴木さん、以前に比べてやせましたね。
Suzuki-san, you’ve lost weight compared to before.
*”に比べて” is correct because it’s a comparison between the past and the present.
A. にひきかえ
兄は弁護士で優秀であるのにひきかえ、弟は仕事すらしていません。
In contrast to the brother, who is an excellent lawyer, his younger brother doesn’t even have a job.
*”にひきかえ” is appropriate because it compares the excellence of the older brother with the jobless younger brother. *Using “even” (sura) emphasizes the point.
A. に比べて
わたしたちの商品に比べてB社のは軽くてシンプルです。
Compared to our products, Company B’s are lighter and simpler.
*”に比べて” is correct because it’s an objective comparison of the products.
A. にひきかえ
わたしは節約をがんばっています。それにひきかえ主人はお金ばかり使うので困ったものです。
I am trying hard to save money. In contrast, my husband spends money all the time, which is troublesome.
*”にひきかえ” is appropriate because the speaker (wife) is saving money, while the husband is spending it, which is the exact opposite. *Using “all the time” (bakari) emphasizes the point.
