in contrast to; unlike

にひきかえ sharply contrasts two things, often with the speaker's evaluation. Attach it to a noun with の, or a plain-form clause with の/な. Unlike に対して, it carries a subjective sense that one is much better or worse than the other.

Examples

• 去年きょねんの不作ふさくにひきかえ、今年ことしは豊作ほうさくだ。

  Kyonen no fusaku ni hikikae, kotoshi wa housaku da.

  In contrast to last year's poor harvest, this year's is bountiful.

• 兄あににひきかえ、弟おとうとはのんびりしている。

  Ani ni hikikae, otouto wa nonbiri shite iru.

  Unlike his older brother, the younger one is laid-back.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 去年 last year
• 今年 this year
• 兄 older brother (one's own)
• 弟 younger brother
• する to do
• いる to exist (animate); to be

Related patterns · Concession and contrast

• 〜といえども even though; although
• 〜ものを if only; and yet (regret/reproach)
• 〜はおろか let alone; not to mention
• 〜にもまして more than; even more than