～に引き換え

How to form it

• Noun + に引き換え
• Noun + に引き換えて

Register: Written to neutral

Explanation

Sets two things side by side and shows how different they are, often with a critical tone.

Compares people or times with a clear gap. The speaker usually judges one side as worse.

Examples

1. 兄に引き換え、弟は怠け者だ。

   あににひきかえ、おとうとはなまけものだ。

   In contrast to his older brother, the younger one is lazy.

2. 昨年に引き換え、今年は雨が少ない。

   さくねんにひきかえ、ことしはあめがすくない。

   In contrast to last year, there is little rain this year.

3. 勤勉な姉に引き換え、私は何事も長続きしない。

   きんべんなあねにひきかえ、わたしはなにごともながつづきしない。

   Unlike my diligent sister, I cannot keep anything up for long.

Compare with

• ～反面: 反面 shows two sides of the same thing; に引き換え compares two different subjects.

Common mistakes

• Using it for two sides of one subject.