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〜とは裏腹に

contrary to, at odds with

Noun + とは裏腹に / と裏腹に

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とは裏腹に means the reality is the opposite of what was expected, said or shown: 期待とは裏腹に、結果は散々だった, "contrary to our hopes, the results were dismal".

The noun is an expectation, a statement or an appearance: 期待, 予想, 言葉, 表情, 発表, or 明るい性格. The second half reveals the contrasting reality.

It's close to に反して (N2), "contrary to". 裏腹 literally means "back and belly", two opposite sides of the same body. It's especially good for a gap between words and feelings: 言葉とは裏腹に、彼女の顔は悲しそうだった, "her face looked sad, despite her words".

Compare に沿って (N2), "in line with", which is the opposite relationship.

Examples

  • 期待きたいとは裏腹うらはらに、結果けっかは散々さんざんだった。

    Contrary to our hopes, the results were dismal.

  • 言葉ことばとは裏腹うらはらに、彼女かのじょの顔かおは悲かなしそうだった。

    Despite her words, her face looked sad.

  • 予想よそうとは裏腹うらはらに、試合しあいは一方的いっぽうてきな展開てんかいになった。

    Contrary to predictions, the match turned out one-sided.

  • 明あかるい性格せいかくとは裏腹うらはらに、彼かれは繊細せんさいな一面いちめんを持もっている。

    Behind his cheerful personality, he has a sensitive side.

  • 政府せいふの発表はっぴょうとは裏腹うらはらに、生活せいかつは苦くるしくなる一方いっぽうだ。

    Contrary to what the government says, life just keeps getting harder.

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