Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
“On the contrary,” “rather,” “instead,” “all the more,” “to the contrary.” It indicates that an action or situation leads to an unexpected, often negative, or opposite result than intended or anticipated.
🎯 Primary Function
To highlight an outcome that is the reverse or different from what was expected, often implying a worsening of the situation or a negative consequence.
📋 Grammar Structure
かえって is an adverb that typically precedes the verb or adjective describing the unexpected outcome.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal writing and speech, although other expressions might sometimes be preferred depending on the exact nuance and level of formality.
Informal Situations
Commonly used in everyday conversation.
Written Language
Frequently appears in articles, essays, and formal reports to express unexpected results or counter-arguments.
Spoken Language
Widely used in conversation to express surprise at an outcome or to state that something had an adverse effect.
💡 Common Applications
Describing failed attempts to improve a situation
When someone tries to fix something, but the attempt makes it worse.
Example: 薬を飲んだのに、かえって具合が悪くなった。 (Despite taking the medicine, I actually felt worse.)
Expressing an unintended negative consequence of an action
When doing something results in the opposite or a negative outcome compared to the goal.
Example: 静かにしようとしたら、かえって子供たちが騒ぎ出した。 (When I tried to make them quiet, the children started making noise instead.)
Highlighting an unexpected benefit or positive outcome (less common, but possible)
Sometimes used to indicate that something initially thought to be bad actually resulted in a positive outcome.
Example: 失敗したと思ったが、かえって新しい発見につながった。 (I thought I had failed, but it actually led to a new discovery.)
Frequency
Moderately frequent in both spoken and written Japanese, especially when discussing outcomes and results.
Difficulty
Medium. While the basic meaning is straightforward, understanding the nuance of “contrary to expectation/intention” and using it appropriately in context requires practice for N2 learners.
Example Sentences
急いで行ったのに、かえって遅刻してしまった。
Although I hurried, I ended up being late instead.
アドバイスをしたつもりが、かえって彼を傷つけてしまったようだ。
I intended to give advice, but it seems I hurt his feelings instead.
この服はゆったりしていると思ったのに、着てみたら、かえって太って見える。
I thought these clothes would be loose, but when I tried them on, they actually made me look fatter.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Implied Expectation/Intention
“かえって” always implies that there was an expectation or intention (often positive or neutral) that was not met, and the actual result was the opposite or worse.
Example: 健康のために運動を始めたのに、かえって体を壊してしまった。 (I started exercising for my health, but instead, I ruined my body.) – The expectation was improved health.
Focus on the Unexpected Result
The core function is to emphasize the result that goes against the initial premise.
Example: 彼は親切にしたのに、かえって誤解された。 (He was kind, but instead, he was misunderstood.) – The focus is on the unexpected misunderstanding.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it simply for contrast without an element of unexpectedness.
✅ Ensure there is a clear discrepancy between the intended/expected outcome and the actual outcome.
If you simply want to say “X is the case, but Y is the case,” other particles or conjunctions like 「～が」 or 「しかし」 might be more appropriate. “かえって” implies a reversal or worsening of the situation due to the preceding context.
❌ Confusing it with むしろ (rather).
✅ While sometimes similar, むしろ often implies a preference or a stronger statement compared to a previous one, whereas かえって focuses on the unexpected adverse result of an action or situation.
See “Subtle Differences” for a detailed comparison.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Neutral. The politeness depends on the surrounding sentence structure and vocabulary, not かえって itself.
Social Situations: Used in various social situations to describe outcomes, whether personal experiences or observations about others.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in the use of かえって.
🔍 Subtle Differences
かえって vs むしろ
かえって emphasizes an outcome that is the opposite or worse than expected/intended due to the preceding action or state. むしろ often suggests choosing one option as more appropriate or preferable than another, or stating a stronger truth after a weaker one.
When to use: Use かえって when describing an unexpected, often negative, consequence. Use むしろ when stating a preference or a more accurate/stronger statement.
かえって vs 反対に (hantai ni)
反対に also means “on the contrary,” but it is broader and can simply state an opposite fact or situation without necessarily implying an unexpected or worsened result from a previous action, though overlap exists. かえって specifically carries the nuance of the *result* being contrary to expectation.
When to use: Use かえって when the result of a previous action/state is unexpectedly opposite or worse. Use 反対に for general contrasting statements or facts.
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📝 Conjugation Notes
かえって is an adverb and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “ka-et-te”. The 「っ」 indicates a double consonant (small tsu), creating a slight pause.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of “かえって” as “It came back (かえる) as the opposite result (って)”. Imagine the effort you put in “coming back” as an unwanted outcome.
Vocabulary List
具合
guai
condition; state (of health)
遅刻する
chikoku suru
to be late
傷つける
kizutsukeru
to hurt; to wound
ゆったりしている
yuttari shiteiru
loose; relaxed
騒ぎ出す
sawagidasu
to start making noise/fuss
無理に
muri ni
unreasonably; forcibly
不機嫌
bad mood; grumpy
Kanji List
具合
ぐあい
condition
遅刻
ちこく
lateness
傷
きず
wound; injury
無理
むり
unreasonable; impossible
不機嫌
ふきげん
bad mood
誤解
ごかい
misunderstanding
健康
けんこう
health
壊す
こわす
to break
発見
はっけん
discovery
反対
はんたい
opposite
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Practice Exercises
傘を持っていかなかったら、＿＿＿雨が降ってきた。
きっと
もちろん
かえって
たまに
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