〜にひきかえ

in contrast to …; unlike …

〜にひきかえ sets two things side by side and stresses how different they are: "compared with A, B is completely different". It usually carries a judgement: A is good and B is bad, or the reverse. 引き換え means "exchange", so picture swapping A for B and seeing the gap.

Both spoken and written, somewhat formal. Very common when comparing two people (a hard-working sister and a lazy brother), two periods (last year and this year) or two situations. Because it often criticises one side, avoid it in polite conversation about the listener.

• N + にひきかえ
• 普通形 + の + にひきかえ (na-adj: 〜な + の)
• Formal spelling: 〜に引き換え / 〜に引き替え

1. 01

   兄が社交的なのにひきかえ、弟は無口だ。

   あにがしゃこうてきなのにひきかえ、おとうとはむくちだ。

   In contrast to the sociable older brother, the younger one is quiet.

   Two brothers, opposite personalities. The clause before にひきかえ takes の (社交的なのに).

2. 02

   去年の暖冬にひきかえ、今年は厳しい寒さが続いている。

   きょねんのだんとうにひきかえ、ことしはきびしいさむさがつづいている。

   Unlike last year's mild winter, this year the severe cold continues.

   Two periods contrasted: mild last year, harsh this year.

3. 03

   彼女の努力にひきかえ、私は何もしていない。

   かのじょのどりょくにひきかえ、わたしはなにもしていない。

   Compared to her efforts, I have done nothing.

   Self-criticism: her effort versus my inaction.

4. 04

   昔の学生が本をよく読んだのにひきかえ、今の学生はスマホばかり見ている。

   むかしのがくせいがほんをよくよんだのにひきかえ、いまのがくせいはスマホばかりみている。

   In contrast to students of the past, who read a lot, today's students are always looking at their phones.

   A typical complaint-style contrast; the second half is criticised.

5. 05

   姉が几帳面なのにひきかえ、私はいい加減な性格だ。

   あねがきちょうめんなのにひきかえ、わたしはいいかげんなせいかくだ。

   Unlike my meticulous sister, I have a careless personality.

   な-adjective + なの + にひきかえ.

• 〜に対して / 〜に対し

  Neutral contrast of two facts without a strong evaluation. Compare side by side

• 〜に比べて / 〜に比べ

  A comparison of degree (more, less). にひきかえ says the two are of opposite kinds. Compare side by side

• 〜にもまして

  "Even more than": a comparison of degree against a high standard, not an opposite-kind contrast. Compare side by side

• ✗

  兄が社交的にひきかえ、弟は無口だ。

  ✓

  兄が社交的なのにひきかえ、弟は無口だ。

  Why

  A clause before にひきかえ needs の (with な for na-adjectives), because ひきかえ attaches to a noun-like unit.

• ✗

  今日は昨日にひきかえ、少し暖かい。

  ✓

  今日は昨日に比べて、少し暖かい。

  Why

  A small difference of degree (少し) is a comparison, not a stark contrast; use に比べて.

• ✗

  あなたにひきかえ、私は…（相手を批判する場面で）

  ✓

  あなたと違って、私は…

  Why

  にひきかえ implies a judgement; using it about the listener in their presence can sound rude.

The two items are usually of the same category (two people, two years, two companies) so the contrast is sharp. It often appears with 一方 or は in the second clause: AにひきかえBは. Writers use it for rhetorical effect; it is stronger than に対して and shows the writer's opinion.