N3114/219

却って

X と思っていたが、却って Y〜はずだったのに、却って〜却って + adj/verb phrase外見は簡単そうだったが、却って難しい

Meanings

all the more
on the contrary
conversely
to the contrary
surprisingly

About this pattern

Explanation

卻って is used to express a contrast between what was expected or assumed and what actually happened, often highlighting that the outcome is the opposite of what was anticipated. It can introduce a surprising or opposite result after a situation that seemed likely to lead to a particular outcome. It is commonly placed between two clauses with a comma.

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Example sentences

期待していたが、却って相手が勝ってしまった。

I expected us to win, but on the contrary the opponent won.

努力していたのに、却って失敗してしまった。

I was努力ing, but I ended up failing instead.

外見は簡単そうだったが、却って難しかった。

It looked easy, but on the contrary it was actually difficult.

彼は早く来ると思っていたが、却って遅れてきた。

I thought he would come early, but he arrived late instead.

この計画は完璧だと思われていたが、却って問題が出てきた。

This plan seemed perfect, but on the contrary problems emerged.

Related patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

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More N3 patterns

It would be good if you do X; You should do X; It's enough to do X

たらいい・といい

It would be nice if ...; It would be good if ...; Should ...; I hope ...

during; while; throughout; in the process of

while; during; between; in the period of

During the period of / while; Before something changes or happens; Within the time when ... happens

ないうちに

before it happens; before doing something becomes true; before it ends/advances; before it’s no longer possible; while still in the state of not ...