却(かえ)って

かえって
adverb
on the contrary; rather; all the more
1. on the contrary; rather; all the more
Used when the result is opposite of what was expected, or when something intensifies rather than lessens.
却(かえ)って悪(わる)くなった。
It actually got worse.
少(すく)ない方(ほう)が却(かえ)って良(よ)い。
Less is actually better.
休(やす)んだのに却(かえ)って疲(つか)れた。
Even though I rested, I ended up more tired.
説明(せつめい)したら却(かえ)って混乱(こんらん)させてしまった。
When I tried to explain, I ended up confusing them even more.
安(やす)いものを買(か)ったら、すぐ壊(こわ)れて却(かえ)って高(たか)くついた。
I bought the cheap one, but it broke right away and ended up costing me more.

USAGE PATTERN:
却(かえ)って is used when:
1. An action produces the opposite of its intended effect
2. Something unexpected happens that goes against common sense
3. A simpler or different approach turns out better

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 〜したら却(かえ)って〜: when I did ~, it actually ~
  • 〜の方(ほう)が却(かえ)って〜: actually, ~ is more ~
  • 却(かえ)って悪(わる)くなる: to become worse instead

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

core
Added 2026.1.16 18:47 · Revised 2026.6.8 23:06
05500/05782_kaette