却って
All the more, On the contrary, Conversely
Structure
Explanation
To show that a result is the opposite of what one might expect or intend, the adverb 却って is used. It can be translated as 'on the contrary', 'rather', or 'all the more'. In a sentence pattern of '(A) 却って (B)', it implies that despite the circumstances of (A), the result was surprisingly (B).
- 謝りすぎると、却って相手に気を使わせてしまうよ。If you apologize too much, you'll actually just end up making them feel awkward.
- 薬を飲んだのに、却って気分が悪くなってしまった。I took some medicine, but on the contrary, I ended up feeling even sicker.
While 却って is often translated as 'instead', it is important to understand its nuance. It is not used when making a choice between two options ('I chose B instead of A'). Rather, it highlights an unexpected or counterintuitive outcome: 'I was aiming for A, but B happened instead'.
Fun Fact
The kanji in 却って can also be read as 却く, meaning 'to retreat' or 'to step back'. This connection reinforces the idea that with 却って, the outcome 'retreats' from the expected result (A) and moves towards an opposite one (B).
- 親切でアドバイスしたのに、却って子供を怒らせてしまった。I was just trying to be kind and give some advice, but contrary to my intentions, I just made my child angry.
- 近道をしたつもりが、却って時間がかかってしまった。I intended to take a shortcut, but ironically it ended up taking even longer.
Examples
薬を飲んだら、却って気分が悪くなった。
I took the medicine, but on the contrary, I ended up feeling worse.
彼を励まそうとしたが、却って落ち込ませてしまった。
I tried to cheer him up, but instead I just made him more depressed.
簡単に説明しようとしたら、却って話が複雑になった。
When I tried to explain it simply, it actually made the topic more complicated.
慌ててやったので、却って時間がかかってしまった。
Because I rushed it, it ironically ended up taking even more time.
良かれと思ってしたアドバイスが、却って彼の邪魔になったようだ。
It seems the advice I gave with good intentions actually just got in his way.
無理なダイエットは、却って太る原因になります。
On the contrary, crash dieting can actually cause you to gain weight.
子供を厳しく叱ったら、却って反抗するようになった。
When I scolded my child strictly, they just started to rebel even more.
問題を隠そうとすると、却って大事になってしまう。
If you try to hide the problem, it will all the more become a bigger deal.
便利なアプリを使ったのに、却って手間が増えた。
Even though I used a convenient app, it actually ended up creating more work for me.
徹夜で勉強したら、却ってテストの成績が悪かった。
I studied all night, but contrary to my expectations, my test score was even worse.
心配させないように黙っていたら、却って怒らせてしまった。
I kept quiet so as not to worry her, but instead I just ended up making her angry.
火に油を注ぐと、却ってもっと燃え上がる。
If you pour oil on a fire, it will just burn even more intensely.