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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

割（わり）に (wari ni)

～割に — “considering ～ / for ～”

In short · Compares a result with what you would normally expect from a standard: “considering A, B is (surprisingly) …”. It attaches to a plain-form verb or adjective (な-adj + な), or noun + の. The result can be better or worse than expected.
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Pattern

  • 普通形＋割に（は） for ～ (e.g. 手間がかかる割に)
  • 名詞＋の＋割に（は） for the price / age (値段の割に, 年の割に)

Expectation versus reality

A is the standard (price, effort, age); B is the real result that does not match it. 値段の割においしい: good for the price. Whether it is positive or negative depends on B.

Connection

Verbs and い-adjectives use the plain form (手間がかかる割に). な-adjectives take な (有名な割に). Nouns take の (年の割に). Adding は (割には) makes the contrast a little stronger.

Similar expressions

～のに also shows an unexpected result, but ～割に always has a standard that you compare to (price, age, effort). ～にしては is close and refers to a specific situation. ～割に is not used with a person’s will.

Examples

  • この店（みせ）は値段（ねだん）の割（わり）においしい。

    Kono mise wa nedan no wari ni oishii.

    This shop is tasty considering the price.

  • この料理（りょうり）は手間（てま）がかかる割（わり）に、味（あじ）は普通（ふつう）だ。

    Kono ryouri wa tema ga kakaru wari ni, aji wa futsuu da.

    This dish takes a lot of effort, but for that the taste is only ordinary.

  • 年（とし）を取（と）っている割（わり）に、あの人（ひと）はとても元気（げんき）だ。

    Toshi o totte iru wari ni, ano hito wa totemo genki da.

    For their age, that person is remarkably energetic.

Common mistakes

  • The main clause must be an evaluation or fact, not an order or the speaker’s will (×割に頑張ろう).
  • Remember の after a noun (値段の割に), not に directly.

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