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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

にしては (ni shite wa)

～にしては — for a ～ / considering that it is ～

In short · Compares reality with what you would normally expect from a given standard: “for a ～, (surprisingly) ～.” The second half often shows a result different from expectation, either better or worse.
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Pattern

  • 名詞＋にしては noun + にしては (子どもにしては)
  • 動詞普通形＋にしては plain form + にしては (初めて作ったにしては)

Meaning and use

What comes before is the standard, and the sentence says that the reality does not match what you would normally expect from it. 初めて作ったにしては、とてもうまくできた means “normally a first try would be poor, but this is good.” It can be praise or complaint.

Connection and cautions

Nouns attach with no だ, and verbs take the plain form; na-adjectives use the stem. It states the speaker’s judgment, so do not follow it with intention or commands. It refers to an actual fact, as in 春にしては, not a prediction of something that has not happened.

Examples

  • 彼（かれ）は子（こ）どもにしては、よく知（し）っている。

    Kare wa kodomo ni shite wa, yoku shitte iru.

    For a child, he knows a lot.

    Normally a child would know less.

  • 初（はじ）めて作（つく）ったにしては、とてもうまくできた。

    Hajimete tsukutta ni shite wa, totemo umaku dekita.

    For a first attempt, it turned out very well.

    Verb plain form (past) + にしては.

  • 春（はる）にしては、今日（きょう）はずいぶん寒（さむ）い。

    Haru ni shite wa, kyō wa zuibun samui.

    For spring, it's quite cold today.

    Here the result is a negative surprise.

Common mistakes

  • Do not add だ to nouns: × 子どもだにしては, ○ 子どもにしては.
  • Do not follow it with intentions, commands or requests. State an evaluation of a fact.

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