割に
Although, Despite, Rather...for, Unexpectedly, Comparatively, Considering
Structure
［い］Adjective + わりに
［な］Adjective + な + わりに
Noun + の + わりに
Explanation
Functioning as an adverb, 割に expresses a contrast similar to English phrases like 'considering', 'for', or 'despite the fact that'.
割に can be placed either at the start of a sentence or directly after the element it contrasts. It connects to な-Adjectives using な and to nouns using の.
- あのレストランは値段が安い割にはとてもおいしいです。Considering its low price, that restaurant is very delicious.
- 勉強しなかった割には、テストの点がよかったね。Considering you didn't study, you got a good score on the test, didn't you?
- このパソコンは新しい割にはすごく動きが遅いです。Although this computer is new, it runs incredibly slow.
- 彼は静かな割には、意見をはっきり言うね。Considering how quiet he is, he really speaks his mind, doesn't he?
- 子どもの割には難しい言葉を知っているね。For a child, you know some pretty difficult words, don't you?
The word 割 on its own is a noun, often used as a suffix to mean 'rate' or 'proportion'. You can think of 割に as a grammatical extension of this idea, literally meaning something like 'in proportion to'.
Fun Fact
Although it might seem like 割に compares two different things, it's actually used to compare a situation or object against the general expectation for that category. It highlights when the outcome is disproportionate to the standard you would expect for (A).
Caution
The expressions 割と and 割に are both frequently used. However, 割と is much more common in conversation and carries the meaning of 'surprisingly' or 'relatively (A)'. It typically appears right before the word it modifies (often an adjective) to show that the degree is greater than expected.
- この映画、割と面白いよ。This movie is surprisingly interesting.
- 新しいアパートは割ときれい。The new apartment is quite nice.
Examples
この値段の割に、質がとてもいい。
The quality is surprisingly good for this price.
このレストランは駅から遠い割に、いつも混んでいる。
Considering it's far from the station, this restaurant is always crowded.
彼はあまり練習しなかった割に、上手にピアノを弾いた。
He played the piano surprisingly well, considering he didn't practice much.
この仕事は大変な割に、お金にならない。
For how tough this job is, it doesn't pay well.
彼は初心者の割に、スノーボードがうまい。
He is quite good at snowboarding for a beginner.
あの子はたくさん食べる割には、全然太らない。
For someone who eats so much, that kid doesn't gain any weight.
昨日の映画は長かった割に、退屈しなかった。
Even though the movie was long, I wasn't bored at all.
彼女は静かな割に、意見をはっきり言う。
Although she is quiet, she clearly states her opinions.
急いで作った割には、おいしくできた。
It came out delicious, considering I made it in a hurry.
あの犬は体が小さい割に、よく吠える。
That dog barks a lot for its small size.
ほとんど準備しなかった割に、プレゼンはうまくいった。
The presentation went well, especially considering I barely prepared.
この鞄は軽い割に、たくさん物が入る。
This bag holds a lot for how light it is.