Posted inN3 Grammar

Understanding にしては (ni shite wa): Expressing the Unexpected

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

Indicates that the actual situation or result is different from what would normally be expected given a certain condition or standard.

🎯 Primary Function

To express a sense of contrast or mild surprise, pointing out that something is unusually good or bad relative to its context.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Noun] / [普通形 (ふつうけい – Plain form) of Verb/い-adjective/な-adjective (omit だ for な-adjective)] + にしては

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Used, but often conveys a slightly subjective nuance of surprise or judgment, making it more common in less formal or semi-formal contexts than strictly formal ones.

😊 Informal Situations

Very common in casual conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Appears in various forms of writing, from casual correspondence to opinion pieces, where the author expresses a judgment or observation.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Frequently used to express personal observations, comparisons, and mild surprise in daily conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Expressing unexpected skill or performance
Used when someone performs better or worse than expected given their level of experience or status.
Example: 彼は初めてにしては、プレゼンテーションが上手だった。(Kare wa hajimete ni shite wa, purezen wa jouzu datta.) – For his first time, he was good at the presentation.
Commenting on price and value
Used to comment on whether the quality or size of something meets expectations based on its price.
Example: この量にしては、値段が高すぎる。(Kono ryou ni shite wa, nedan ga takasugiru.) – Considering this amount, the price is too high.
Describing unexpected conditions
Used when a condition is different from what is typical for a certain time, place, or situation.
Example: 10月にしては、ずいぶん暖かい日だ。(Juugatsu ni shite wa, zuibun atatakai hi da.) – For October, it’s quite a warm day.
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in daily Japanese.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3)
Example Sentences
外国人にしては日本語がうまいですね。
For a foreigner, your Japanese is good.
この部屋は狭いにしては、家賃が高い。
Considering this room is small, the rent is expensive.
日曜日なのにしては、電車が空いている。
Even though it’s Sunday, the train is empty.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Focus on the Gap
This pattern highlights the gap or difference between the expected norm (based on the preceding noun/phrase) and the reality.
Example: 医者にしては、健康に無頓着だ。(Isha ni shite wa, kenkou ni mutonchaku da.) – For a doctor, he’s indifferent to health.
Often implies mild surprise or judgment
Using にしては suggests that the speaker finds the situation noteworthy because it deviates from the expected.
Example: 初めて作ったにしては、おいしい。(Hajimete tsukutta ni shite wa, oishii.) – For something made for the first time, it’s delicious (implies surprise at how good it is).

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using にしては when there is no clear standard or expectation.
✅ Ensure the preceding noun/phrase establishes a context or standard against which the following statement can be compared.
「雨にしては」 is unnatural unless comparing the current rain to a typical type of rain. It needs a clear standard, like 「今日の雨にしては強い」 (For today’s rain, it’s strong – comparing to typical rain today) or 「梅雨にしては雨が少ない」 (For the rainy season, there’s little rain – comparing to typical rainy season).
❌ Confusing it with からして (kara shite).
✅ からして often means “judging from…” or “starting with…”, focusing on the basis of judgment. にしては focuses on the contrast to expectation.
「彼の態度からして、怒っているようだ」(Judging from his attitude, he seems angry) uses his attitude as the basis for judgment. 「彼の態度にしては穏やかだ」(For his attitude, he is calm) points out the unexpected calmness given his usual attitude.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Generally neutral. The level of politeness depends on the overall sentence structure and surrounding vocabulary.
Social Situations: Used in various social situations where one might comment on a discrepancy between expectation and reality.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese; no significant regional variations.

🔍 Subtle Differences

にしては vs. わりには (wari ni wa)
わりには is very similar and often interchangeable, also meaning “considering…”. にしては might emphasize the subjective feeling of surprise slightly more, but the difference is often subtle.
When to use: Both can often be used. Choose based on slight nuance or personal preference. わりには is also very common.
にしては vs. くせに (kuse ni)
くせに is accusatory or critical, meaning “even though…” or “despite the fact that…”, implying dissatisfaction or blame. にしては is more neutral or mildly surprised.
When to use: Use くせに for negative, critical comments about someone’s behavior or state despite a condition. Use にしては for neutral or mildly surprised observations about a discrepancy.
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When to use: undefined

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects directly to nouns or the plain form of verbs/adjectives. な-adjectives drop the だ before にしては.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce にしては as a fluid phrase, with the emphasis often on the part that is unexpected.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of it as “[X] considering [X], [Y] is different from expected”. The “standard” (X) is followed by にしては, and then the unexpected outcome (Y) follows.

Practice Exercises
彼は___にしては、英語がペラペラだ。
日本人
子供
学生
先生
このレストランは高い___にしては、味が普通だ。
で
に
から
へ
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