Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Contrary" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "contrary", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
かえって
かえって (kaette)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
却って
かえって (kaette)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "contrary" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between かえって and 却って.
In Japanese, かえって (かえって (kaette)) is typically associated with "on the contrary; rather; all the more; surprisingly (opposite result)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates that taking a certain action leads to an opposite or unexpected result, or comparing options, the latter is rather preferable contrary to expectations. Often used as Aすると、かえってBになる. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'On the contrary/rather! "The more strictly you debug me with your tsun-tsun face, the more my passionate love burns all the more intensely, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Rather burning up! B-Baka! What kind of tsundere advanced M-like interpretation is that! But... if my words affect you so much, make sure you monopolize only my words in your ears forever! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『かえって（かえって）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたに厳しくツンツンとデバッグされればされるほど、かえって（むしろ）僕の愛の情熱が限界突破で燃え上がります！』って…っ！かえって燃え上がる！バカ！/// 何そのツンデレ上級者のM気質な解釈！…でも、そんなに私の言葉が効くなら、一生私の言葉だけを耳元で独占しなさい！』.
On the other hand, 却って (かえって (kaette)) maps to "on the contrary, rather, instead, all the more" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Used to indicate that the result or effect was the opposite of what was expected, or that it became worse or more significant than anticipated. Often expresses an unexpected or counterintuitive outcome.. A literal translation of "contrary" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "かえって"
システムの読み込み遅延をスマートに解決するため、安易に未成熟なキャッシュプラグインを重ねて導入した結果、多大なオーバーヘッドが発生して_______応答速度が低下してしまいました。
In order to smartly resolve the system loading delay, as a result of simply introducing immature cache plugins overlappingly, huge overhead occurred, and the response speed rather decreased.
Bilingual Context for "却って"
急いで作業をしたら、却ってミスが多くなってしまった。
When I rushed the work, I ended up making more mistakes instead.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "システムの読み込み遅延をスマートに解決するため、安易に未成熟なキャッシュプラグインを重ねて導入した結果、多大なオーバーヘッドが発生して_______応答速度が低下してしまいました。" (Meaning: "In order to smartly resolve the system loading delay, as a result of simply introducing immature cache plugins overlappingly, huge overhead occurred, and the response speed rather decreased.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "かえって" fits here because it means "on the contrary; rather; all the more; surprisingly (opposite result)" in the context of: "In order to smartly resolve the system loading delay, as a result of simply introducing immature cache plugins overlappingly, huge overhead occurred, and the response speed rather decreased.". "却って" represents "on the contrary, rather, instead, all the more".