N1 has four advanced patterns for "contrast and conditions": にひきかえ shows stark contrast, ならいざ知らず means "setting that aside, but this...", にこしたことはない means "nothing beats...", and とあれば means "if it's the case that..."
にひきかえ: In Stark Contrast To…
「にひきかえ」expresses two things that are completely opposite:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 上の子がおとなしいのにひきかえ、下の子は本当によく動く。 | The older child is quiet, but in stark contrast, the younger one is really active. |
| 去年の夏にひきかえ、今年は涼しい。 | In sharp contrast to last summer, this year is cool. |
| 兄の成績の良さにひきかえ、弟はまったく勉強しない。 | In contrast to the brother's good grades, the younger brother doesn't study at all. |
Connection: Noun + にひきかえ / Sentence (の) + にひきかえ Emphasizes that the two subjects are polar opposites, with an evaluative tone.
Key Points
- The two things must be of the same category but completely different
- Carries a tone of surprise or evaluation
- Similar to に比べて but more dramatically contrastive
ならいざ知らず: Maybe for X, but Y Is Certain
「ならいざ知らず」expresses setting aside one uncertain case to emphasize another clear case:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 万年筆ならいざ知らず、ボールペンは陽子さんは何本も持っている。 | Fountain pens, I'm not sure about, but Yoko has several ballpoint pens. |
| 子供ならいざ知らず、大人がそんなことをするのは恥ずかしい。 | For kids it might be excusable, but for adults to do that is embarrassing. |
| 初心者ならいざ知らず、ベテランがこんなミスをするとは。 | For beginners maybe, but for a veteran to make this kind of mistake... |
Connection: Noun + ならいざ知らず 「いざ知らず」= "that, I don't know" (classical いざ = uncertainty)
Key Points
- The first part is a concession (this case is understandable/not discussed)
- The second part is the emphasized point (this case is unacceptable/clear)
- Often used for criticism or highlighting contrasts
にこしたことはない: Nothing Beats… / Best to…
「にこしたことはない」expresses something being the best possible choice:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 若いうちは何でも経験するにこしたことはない。 | When you're young, there's nothing better than experiencing everything. |
| お金は多いにこしたことはない。 | The more money, the better. |
| 健康に気をつけるにこしたことはない。 | It's best to take care of your health. |
Connection: Verb dictionary form / Adjective + にこしたことはない 越す = to surpass → 越したことはない = nothing surpasses it = it's the best
Key Points
- Expresses a safe, moderate suggestion
- Not a command — more like "ideally..."
- Literally: "there's nothing that surpasses this"
とあれば: If It's the Case That… (Then Naturally…)
「とあれば」expresses a special condition that naturally triggers a strong response:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| お金のためとあれば、何でもする。 | If it's for money, I'll do anything. |
| 子供のためとあれば、どんな苦労も惜しまない。 | If it's for the children, no hardship is too great. |
| 利益があるとあれば、人はすぐ集まる。 | If there's profit to be had, people gather immediately. |
Connection: Noun/Sentence + とあれば Emphasizes that the condition is a sufficient trigger for action.
Key Points
- The first part is a special condition/reason
- The second part is a strong resulting action
- More formal and literary than なら
Comparison
| Pattern | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| にひきかえ | In stark contrast to | Evaluative contrast |
| ならいざ知らず | Setting aside X, but Y... | Concessive criticism |
| にこしたことはない | Nothing beats… | Gentle suggestion |
| とあれば | If it's the case that | Condition → action |
Summary
- 「にひきかえ」= Two things are polar opposites (dramatic contrast)
- 「ならいざ知らず」= That case aside, but this case... (concession + emphasis)
- 「にこしたことはない」= Nothing beats this (moderate suggestion)
- 「とあれば」= If that's the situation, then naturally... (condition → response)
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「子供ならいざ知らず、大人がそんなことをするのは恥ずかしい。」
Show Answer
"For kids it might be excusable, but for adults to do such a thing is embarrassing." 「ならいざ知らず」= setting aside the first case, but the second is unacceptable.
2. Complete with にこしたことはない: お金は多い______.
Show Answer
お金は多いにこしたことはない。 "The more money, the better." (Nothing surpasses having more.)
3. What does 「兄にひきかえ弟は」 mean?
Show Answer
"In stark contrast to the older brother, the younger brother..." 「にひきかえ」= the two form a dramatic contrast.