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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

に反（はん）して (ni hanshite)

～に反して — contrary to ～

In short · Used after nouns like expectations, forecasts and hopes to say the result was the opposite of them. It also means “going against” a rule or wish. It is a formal expression often seen in writing and news.
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Pattern

  • 名詞＋に反して／に反し noun + に反して (予想に反して)
  • 名詞＋に反する＋名詞 noun + に反する + noun (期待に反する結果)

Nouns it takes

It follows nouns expressing what was expected or should be the case, such as expectations, hopes, opinions, orders and rules. It does not attach to plain objects like “rain.” What follows is a result opposite to that content.

Compared with other forms

〜と違って simply notes a difference, while に反して strongly implies the opposite of an expectation or rule. 〜に反する can modify a noun, and also means “violating,” as in 規則に反する行為.

Examples

  • 予想（よそう）に反（はん）して、試合（しあい）に負（ま）けた。

    Yosō ni hanshite, shiai ni maketa.

    Contrary to expectations, we lost the game.

    The usual set phrase: 予想に反して.

  • 親（おや）の期待（きたい）に反（はん）して、彼（かれ）は大学（だいがく）をやめた。

    Oya no kitai ni hanshite, kare wa daigaku o yameta.

    Contrary to his parents' hopes, he quit university.

    Going against what others hoped for.

  • 多（おお）くの人（ひと）の予想（よそう）に反（はん）して、値段（ねだん）が下（さ）がった。

    Ōku no hito no yosō ni hanshite, nedan ga sagatta.

    Contrary to many people's expectations, the price fell.

    The result is the opposite of what was predicted.

Common mistakes

  • It needs a noun like expectation, hope or rule before it. It does not attach to ordinary objects or verbs.
  • To modify a noun, use に反する／に反した: 期待に反する結果.

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