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割に
N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today
wari ni
considering; relatively; unexpectedly
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🃏 Flashcard
割に
wari ni
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considering; relatively; unexpectedly
N3
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N3
Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast
Reading wari ni
Post ID 50982
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

considering; relatively; unexpectedly

📖 How to use it

A pattern that marks something as judged against an expected standard, often noting a surprising or notable result.

Attaches to Attach to the dictionary form of verbs, the stem of な-adjectives, or the plain form of nouns followed by の: 行く割に, 静かな割に, 子供の割に.

割に compares what you observe with what you'd normally expect from the category or quality mentioned. It often carries a sense of 'for someone/something of that kind' — the result may be higher, lower, or just different than you'd think. You'll hear it in daily conversation, especially with adjectives like 安い, 静か, 上手, or verbs like 食べる, 勉強する.

このレストランは値段の割に美味しくない。
Kono resutoran wa nedan no wari ni oishikunai.
This restaurant isn't tasty for its price.
彼は年齢の割に若く見える。
Kare wa nenrei no wari ni wakaku mieru.
He looks young for his age.
勉強した割にはテストができなかった。
Benkyō shita wari ni wa tesuto ga dekinakatta.
I studied, but the test didn't go well considering that.
Not ~にしては Both mean 'considering X', but 割に is more objective and often compares with a general standard, while にしては is more subjective and highlights a gap between expectation and reality. In many cases they're interchangeable, but 割に can also be used with positive results, whereas にしては often implies surprise at a negative or unexpected outcome.
Register Neutral, used in both speaking and writing, but more common in conversational Japanese.
🎯 Quick Quiz
What does this grammar pattern mean or do?
割に
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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Say It Aloud
Press Hear it and repeat 割に three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.
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Flip Before Reading
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Write Two Sentences
Compose two original sentences using 割に. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.
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Spaced Review
Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern 割に mean? ▼
Considering; relatively; unexpectedly
What JLPT level is 割に? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use 割に in a sentence? ▼
Attach 割に (wari ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is 割に formal or casual Japanese? ▼
割に is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.
How can I remember 割に long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.