The difference between “~わりに(は)“ and “~にしては“

September 5, 2020

Sponsored Links

“~わりに(は)“ is an adverb that means “considering“. It is used to describe someone/something that is different from typical ideas or what you think it should be.

“~にしては“ is usually interchangeable with “~わりに(は)“, but you have two things to be careful when you use “~にしては“.
The first, typical ideas and your expectation of someone/something should be specific, giving the amount such as ages and prices.
The second, you can’t use it with adjectives.

Meg and Amy are choosing accommodation for their trip in Hawaii.

  • Amy: Look! Why don’t we stay at ABC hotel? The price is 100 dollars for a twin room per night.
    Amy: 見て!ABCホテルに泊まらない?二人部屋が、一泊100ドルだよ。
  • Meg: Oh, it’s a nice room for the price! I like it.
    [OK]あっ、100ドルのわりには、いい部屋だね。
    [OK]あっ、100ドルにしては、いい部屋だね。
    [OK]あっ、値段のわりには、いい部屋だね。
    [NG] あっ、値段にしては、いい部屋だね。
    [OK]あっ、値段が安いわりには、いい部屋だね。
    [NG]あっ、値段が安いにしては、いい部屋だね。
  • Amy: I’d like to rent a car and drive along the coastline, but I don’t know where to go. Do you know any good spots?
    レンタカーを借りて、海岸沿いをドライブしたいな。でも、どこに行けばいいのか、分からないや。どこか、いい所ある?
  • Meg: What? I know you’ve been to Hawaii many times, huh?
    えっ?何度もハワイに行っているよね?
  • Amy: Yes, but I only go surfing. I don’t know much about tourist spots for Hawaii lovers.
    [OK]うん、でもサーフィンしかしない。ハワイ好きのわりには、観光地をあまり知らない。
    [OK]うん、でもサーフィンしかしない。ハワイ好きにしては、観光地をあまり知らない。
Ken and Leo are talking at the office.

  • Ken: Good morning. I’m so sleepy. I’ve only slept for three hours.
    おはよう。眠い。3時間しか寝ていない。
  • Leo: Why did you stay up late last night?
    なんで、夜更かししたの?
  • Ken: I wasn’t supposed to play video games, but I ended up doing it the whole night.
    ゲームするつもりはなかったんだけど、一晩中しちゃった。
  • Leo: I see. You look pretty good considering you’ve only slept for a few hours.
    [OK]なるほどね。数時間しか寝ていないわりには、元気そうじゃん。
    [OK]なるほどね。数時間しか寝ていないにしては、元気そうじゃん。

Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links

Recommendation

They have almost the same meaning, which is "at least". They can be interchangeable depending on the context. "せめて" is mainly used when you want ...

It is slang derived from “何か(なにか)”. It has two meanings. The first is “such“ and it is used to emphasize the noun that is put ...

There are two types of “なんて”. The first is derived from “などと”. It means “such“ and it is used to emphasize the noun that is ...

It has two meanings. The first is “and/or/etc“ and it is used to mention similar items with something or to give examples. It is interchangeable ...

You have heard of “だって” many times. Do you know what exactly it means and how to use it? [datte] It is a spoken language ...

The difference between the particles "は" and "が" depends on whether the subject or the predicate of a sentence is emphasized. "が" is used when ...

They have the same meaning which is "even." They are used when describing something by giving very unusual and surprising examples, but "すら" cannot be ...

It is a noun and it means "procrastination". It is used when you put off something that has to be done because it is unpleasant ...

It is a phrase and means “it can't be helped”. It is used when you can’t avoid something to happen or can’t find a way ...

It is an adjective and means "it's such a hassle". It is used when you don’t feel like doing something or you feel that someone ...

They are a conjunctive particle and they have a similar meaning. They are interchangeable in many cases, but the nuance is different. "から" is used ...

"はず" means "to be supposed to do" and it is used to emphasize an expectation that something will take place. You can use "思う" instead ...

They are adverbs that mean "as much as possible". They are used when describing situations in which you try to do something as much as ...

-LESSON, TIPS
-,

Copyright© Learn Japanese with Ariel , 2024 All Rights Reserved.