～わりには

When to use

"Despite X, less/more than expected" - a comparison against expectation, not a plain contrast.

Explanation

The ～わりには grammar point is used to highlight a contrast between what is expected from a certain condition and the actual result. It can be translated as 'despite', 'considering', or 'even though'.

• 彼かれはあまり勉強べんきょうしないわりには、テストの点数てんすうが高たかいです。

  Despite not studying much, he gets high scores on tests.

  Kare wa amari benkyou shinai wari ni wa, tesuto no tensuu ga takai desu.

• この料理りょうりは見みた目めが悪わるいわりには、味あじは美味おいしいです。

  Even though this dish doesn't look good, it tastes delicious.

  Kono ryouri wa mitame ga warui wari ni wa, aji wa oishii desu.

• 彼女かのじょは若わかいわりには、とても落おち着ついていますね。

  Considering she's young, she's very calm.

  Kanojo wa wakai wari ni wa, totemo ochitsuite imasu ne.

• この部屋へやは狭せまいわりには、家賃やちんが高たかいです。

  Despite being small, this room’s rent is high.

  Kono heya wa semai wari ni wa, yachin ga takai desu.

Concession (Even Though / Although / Despite)

• ～ても/でも〜te mo/demoN4Expresses 'even if' or 'even though'; used to convey…
• ～といっても〜to ittemoN3Express the meaning 'even though', 'although', 'but'.
• ～ところが〜tokoro gaN3Expresses a contrast or unexpected outcome; 'however'…
• A。それなのに B。~sorenanoniN2Express contrast or a contradiction between two situations…
• ～くせに〜kuse niN3Used to express criticism or disapproval; 'even though'…
• ～にもかかわらず〜ni mo kakawarazuN2Expresses 'despite', 'in spite of' or 'even though'.
• ～ながらも〜nagara moN1Means 'even though' or 'despite'.
• Noun にしてNoun ni shiteN1Expresses the idea 'even for', 'even though', or 'in spite…
• ～とはいえ～to wa ieN1Even though; although; but
• ～といえども〜to iedomoN1Even if it is said that; Even though; Although.
• ～に反して〜ni hanshiteN2Contrary to, against, in spite of
• ～のに〜no niN4Used to express contrast between expectation and reality…
• ～ことは…が～koto wa... gaN3Indicates that while something may be true or valid, there…
• ～かと思いきや〜ka to omoikiyaN1Expressing unexpected outcomes; 'just when I thought...'…

Compare when to use each