Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 6: 5/24

却(かえ)ってAll the more, On the contrary, Conversely

Structure

Phrase (A) + かえって + Phrase (B)

Details

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    Formal

About 却って

In order to revoke, or take a step back from a statement that has already been made, 却(かえ)って will often be used. 却(かえ)って can translate as 'rather', or 'all the more'. If a sentence consists of '(A) 却(かえ)って, (B)', what it means is 'putting aside (A), (B)'. 却(かえ)って is an adverb.

却(かえ)って itself translates most closely to 'instead'. However, this is not the 'instead' used for phrases like '(B) was chosen over (A)', but the 'instead' used for phrases like '(A) couldn't be achieved, so (B)'. This shows that (A) is usually the intention or aim of the speaker, but (B) was the result instead.

Fun Fact

Another reading of the kanji used in 却(かえ)って is 却(しりぞ)く, which means 'to retreat'. This further highlights 却(かえ)って's nuance of 'stepping away' from the (A) statement, to show the real result of (B).

Related

Examples

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    欲張(よくば)ると却(かえ)って損(そん)をしますよ。

    If you are greedy, you'll lose all the more.

    「やれ」と言(い)われると、却(かえ)ってやる気(き)がなくなる。

    If someone says 'do it', on the contrary, I'll lose motivation.

    情(なさ)けが却(かえ)って仇(あだ)となることもある。

    On the contrary, there are times when pity can backfire.

    僕(ぼく)がいると却(かえ)って邪魔(じゃま)になると思(おも)うんです。

    On the contrary, if I stick around I think that I'll just get in the way.

    お手伝(てつだ)いのつもりでしょうが、却(かえ)って迷惑(めいわく)です。

    I realize that you are trying to help, on the contrary you are getting in the way.

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      却って – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • eefara

        eefara

        Is there any way to know other than context when かえって means “all the more” rather than “on the contrary”?

      • mattbacon

        mattbacon

        It’s when you would expect whatever the topic is to be less based on the first clause, and you negate that in the second clause. Example: “She told me not to, but I just wanted to do it all the more.”

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