～割に

How to form it

• Verb / い-adjective (plain form) + 割に
• な-adjective + な + 割に
• Noun + の + 割に

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Says that something is different from what you would expect given the standard in the first part.

The result goes against or exceeds the expectation: either good or bad. It is used to comment on the balance between two things, such as price and quality.

Examples

1. この店は、値段が安い割に、味がいい。

   このみせは、ねだんがやすいわりに、あじがいい。

   Considering how cheap this shop is, the taste is good.

2. 彼は、年の割に、若く見える。

   かれは、としのわりに、わかくみえる。

   He looks young for his age.

3. 勉強しない割に、成績がいい。

   べんきょうしないわりに、せいせきがいい。

   Considering how little he studies, his grades are good.

4. この料理は、簡単な割に、見た目が豪華だ。

   このりょうりは、かんたんなわりに、みためがごうかだ。

   For being so easy, this dish looks lavish.

Compare with

• ～のに(逆接): のに is a stronger contrast with emotion; 割に is a mild balance.
• ～に比べて: に比べて compares with something else.

Common mistakes

• Using it with only one fact and no standard of expectation.