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GRAMMAR
〜にひきかえ
in sharp contrast to
compared to
Explanation
NOTE

〜にひきかえ means in sharp contrast to — it sets two things side by side to stress how different they are.

兄あににひきかえ、弟おとうとはとても静しずかだ。
In sharp contrast to the older brother, the younger one is very quiet.
NOTE

It is formal and often carries the speaker's personal judgment or evaluation.

去年きょねんにひきかえ、今年ことしは売うり上あげが多おおい。
Compared to last year, sales are high this year.
The contrast usually goes from one extreme to its opposite.
NOTE

Attach にひきかえ directly to a noun. It marks the thing being contrasted with.

STRUCTURE
N辞
にひきかえ
姉あねにひきかえ、私わたしは料理りょうりが苦手にがてだ。
Ane ni hikikae, watashi wa ryouri ga nigate da.
In sharp contrast to my sister, I am bad at cooking.
昨日きのうにひきかえ、今日きょうはとても暖あたたかい。
Kinou ni hikikae, kyou wa totemo atatakai.
In sharp contrast to yesterday, today is very warm.
都会とかいにひきかえ、田舎いなかは物価ぶっかが安やすい。
Tokai ni hikikae, inaka wa bukka ga yasui.
Compared to the city, prices are cheap in the countryside.
兄あには几帳面きちょうめんなな性格せいかくだ。弟おとうとにひきかえにひきかえ、いつも部屋へやがきれいだ。
Ani wa kichoumen na seikaku da. Otouto ni hikikae, itsumo heya ga kirei da.
My older brother has a methodical personality. In sharp contrast to his younger brother, his room is always clean.
昨日きのうの天気てんきにひきかえにひきかえ、今日きょうはとてもいい天気てんきだ。
Kinou no tenki ni hikikae, kyou wa totemo ii tenki da.
Compared to yesterday's weather, today is very nice.
今年ことしの夏なつにひきかえにひきかえ、去年きょねんの夏なつはとても涼すずしかった。
Kotoshi no natsu ni hikikae, kyonen no natsu wa totemo suzushikatta.
In sharp contrast to this summer, last summer was very cool.

Practice exercises

1
兄あににひきかえ、弟おとうとはとても静しずかだ。
In sharp contrast to the older brother, the younger one is very quiet.
Answer
にひきかえ
2
去年きょねんにひきかえ、今年ことしは売うり上あげが多おおい。
Compared to last year, sales are high this year.
Answer
にひきかえ
3
都会とかいにひきかえ、田舎いなかは物価ぶっかが安やすい。
Compared to the city, prices are cheap in the countryside.
Answer
にひきかえ
4
沖縄おきなわならではの青空あおぞらにひきかえ、東京とうきょうは曇くもりだ。
In sharp contrast to Okinawa's unique blue sky, Tokyo is cloudy.
Answer
にひきかえ
5
彼かれの実力じつりょくとは比くらべものにならないにひきかえ、私わたしは未熟みじゅくだ。
In sharp contrast to his incomparable ability, I am unskilled.
Answer
にひきかえ
6
表面ひょうめんの平静へいせいさにひきかえ、内部ないぶは混乱こんらんしていた。
In sharp contrast to its calm exterior, the interior was chaotic.
Answer
にひきかえ
7
期待きたいされた成功せいこうにひきかえ、結果けっかは惨憺さんたんたるものだった。
In sharp contrast to the anticipated success, the result was disastrous.
Answer
にひきかえ
8
伝統でんとうを重んおもんじる旧世代きゅうせだいにひきかえ、若者わかものは革新的かくしんてきだ。
In sharp contrast to the old generation who value tradition, young people are innovative.
Answer
にひきかえ