とは違って
to wa chigatte
The English phrase 'unlike' is translated into Japanese as とは違って (to wa chigatte).
とは違って is used to express that something is different from (prep).
Meaning: different from (prep)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the particle と meaning 'with', は acting as a topic marker and 違って which is the te-form of the verb 違う meaning 'to differ'.
Which one should you use?
While とは違って emphasizes the contrast between two subjects, the phrase 違いは would be used to state 'the difference is…' instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because it uses the te-form 違って, this phrase functions as an adverbial clause that modifies the main verb or adjective in the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
to wa chigatte
Did you know?
- The word 違う is often used in a polite, indirect way to decline an offer. By saying the situation is 'different' from what the other person thinks, a speaker can avoid saying a direct 'no'.
- Japanese speakers can use the phrase 違わず to mean 'without fail' or 'exactly like', which is the polar opposite of the meaning of 'unlike'.
- In Japanese pop culture, the phrase 'chigau' (the root of this phrase) is frequently used as a rhythmic interjection to mean 'No, no' or 'That's not it' during debates or comedy.
Examples in context
- からだは、その娘とは違って、丈が低く、横にでぶでぶ太って、豚の体に人の首がついているようだ。She was, unlike her daughter, of small stature and her body was fat on the sides. It was as if a human head had been fitted unto the body of a pig.This sentence demonstrates how to use とは違って to contrast a person with her daughter.Tatoeba #607556 by Scott, translation #607562 by Scott
- 彼の考え方は私と違う。His way of thinking is unlike mine.
- 彼の意見は私のものと異なる。His opinion is unlike mine.
- 彼とは違って、妹はとても社交的だ。Kare to wa chigatte, imōto wa totemo shakōteki da.Unlike him, my younger sister is very sociable.
- 去年とは違って、今年は夏がとても暑い。Kyonen to wa chigatte, kotoshi wa natsu ga totemo atsui.Unlike last year, the summer is very hot this year.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are comparing their tastes in movies.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くんはホラー映画が好きなんですね。Ren-kun wa horā eiga ga suki nan desu ne.Ren, you like horror movies, don't you?
- 蓮 Renはい。結衣さんはどうですか？Hai. Yui-san wa dō desu ka?Yes. How about you, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui私は蓮くんとは違って、怖い映画は苦手です。Watashi wa Ren-kun to wa chigatte, kowai eiga wa nigate desu.Unlike you, Ren, I'm not good with scary movies.
- 蓮 Renそうなんですね。別の映画にしましょう。Sō nan desu ne. Betsu no eiga ni shimashō.I see. Let's pick a different movie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
