〜わりに
Considering 〜わりに
Meaning
"Considering ~", "for a ~" — the result is out of proportion with what you would expect.
Formation
[plain form] + わりに · [noun] の + わりに · [na-adj] な + わりに
Notes
Marks a mismatch between expectation and fact: 値段のわりにおいしい ("good for the price"). It can be positive or negative — the point is the disproportion, not approval. Often written 割に.
Examples
この店（みせ）は値段（ねだん）のわりにおいしいです。
This restaurant is good for the price.
Breakdown
彼（かれ）は年（とし）のわりに若く見（わかくみ）えます。
He looks young for his age.
Breakdown
たくさん勉強（べんきょう）したわりに点数（てんすう）が悪（わる）かった。
For all the studying I did, my score was poor.
Breakdown
この部屋（へや）は狭（せま）いわりに家賃（やちん）が高（たか）いです。
The rent is high for such a small room.
Breakdown
簡単（かんたん）なわりに時間（じかん）がかかりました。
For something so simple, it took a long time.
Breakdown
⚠️ Often confused with
〜が、〜
But 〜が
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". More formal/written than けど.
〜けど、〜
But 〜けど (colloquial)
Connects two clauses with contrast — "but / however". The everyday spoken equivalent of が...
〜のに
Although 〜のに
Contrast with feeling — "although ~", "even though ~". Carries surprise, disappointment or...
〜くせに
Even though (reproach) 〜くせに
"Even though ~", "and yet ~" — with contempt, blame or resentment.
〜ながらも
Although (formal) 〜ながらも
"Although ~", "while ~" — a written contrast between two facts held at once.
〜にもかかわらず
In spite of 〜にもかかわらず
"In spite of ~", "despite ~" — a strong, formal contrast.
〜ものの
Although (written) 〜ものの
"Although ~", "~, but" — the expected consequence did not follow.
〜とはいえ
Be that as it may 〜とはいえ
"Although ~", "be that as it may" — concedes a known fact, then denies the expectation it...
〜といえども
Even granting that 〜といえども
"Even though ~", "even ~ (of all people)" — a very formal concession.