かえって

kaette
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Translating...
instead, on the contrary
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/kaette/
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+1
A result turns out opposite to what was expected.
Practice using かえって in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • 説明を増やすとかえって混乱する。
    Adding explanations actually causes confusion.
  • 急いだらかえって時間がかかった。
    Rushing actually took more time.
  • 励ましたつもりがかえって傷つけた。
    I meant to encourage her but instead hurt her.
  • 遠回りの道がかえって近かった。
    The longer route was in fact shorter.
  • 薬を飲んだらかえって眠れなくなった。
    The medicine instead made it harder to sleep.

Similar words

予想に反して
逆に

Meanings

Instead, unexpectedly

adverb
unexpected results
neutral
Used when an action or situation produces a result that reverses the expected one.

Examples

  • 急いだらかえって時間がかかった。
    Rushing actually took more time.
  • 薬を飲んだらかえって眠れなくなった。
    The medicine instead made it harder to sleep.
  • 説明を増やすとかえって混乱する。
    Adding explanations actually causes confusion.
  • 遠回りの道がかえって近かった。
    The longer route was in fact shorter.
  • 励ましたつもりがかえって傷つけた。
    I meant to encourage her but instead hurt her.

Similar words

逆に
予想に反して

Etymology

The underlying idea is a result turning back in the opposite direction.

FAQ

What does かえって mean?

A result turns out opposite to what was expected.

How do you read かえって?

It is read かえって, written kaette.

When would you use かえって?

Connects an expectation with a contrary outcome, often an unintended bad effect.

How is かえって different from むしろ?

むしろ chooses or favors one option over another; かえって reports a result opposite to expectation.

How does かえって change in a sentence?

An invariable adverb, also written 却って, though kana is common.

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