N1 Comparison and Contrast

~にひきかえ: meaning, usage and examples

~にひきかえ means: in contrast to... / unlike...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 活発かっぱつな姉あねにひきかえ、妹いもうとはとても内向的ないこうてきだ。

   In contrast to her active older sister, the younger sister is very introverted.

2. 去年きょねんは猛暑もうしょだったのにひきかえ、今年ことしは冷夏れいかだ。

   Unlike last year's intense heat, this year we are having a cool summer.

3. 前まえの担当たんとう者しゃにひきかえ、今度こんどの人ひとはとても仕事しごとが丁寧ていねいだ。

   Unlike the previous person in charge, the new one is very careful with their work.

4. 兄あにが成績せいせき優秀ゆうしゅうなのにひきかえ、弟おとうとの私わたしは勉強べんきょうが苦手にがてだった。

   Unlike my older brother, who had excellent grades, I was poor at studying.

When to use it

Means "in contrast to X" or "unlike X." The speaker compares two people or things that are opposite, often praising one and criticizing the other. For example, 前まえの担当たんとう者しゃにひきかえ、今度こんどの人ひとは仕事しごとが丁寧ていねいだ (unlike the previous person in charge, the new one is careful with their work).

Nuance

Used in speech and writing, and often subjective: the speaker evaluates, not just reports. Common with siblings, years, past vs present. It needs two clearly opposite sides. Do not use it for a neutral, factual difference.

Compare

Compare に対たいして: 兄あにが文系ぶんけいなのに対たいして弟おとうとは理系りけいだ is a neutral comparison. にひきかえ adds evaluation: 兄あににひきかえ弟おとうとはだらしない. Compare とは打うって変かわって, which contrasts the same thing before and after a change.

Tip: にひきかえ = "unlike X (and that is good or bad)". If the sentence just states two facts objectively, choose に対たいして.