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かえって

on the contrary, instead (it backfired)

かえって + result opposite to the intention

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かえって says an action had the opposite of the intended effect: 手伝ったつもりが、かえって迷惑をかけてしまった, "I meant to help, but I actually made things worse".

The first half is usually an attempt (helping, hurrying, taking medicine, explaining), and the second is a result that backfired: 具合が悪くなった, 時間がかかった, わからなくなった.

It also works for general truths about false economies: 安い物を買うと、かえって高くつく, "buying cheap things ends up costing you more".

Compare むしろ (N3), "rather, if anything", which compares two options. かえって is about expectations being reversed. It's written 却って in kanji, but usually appears in hiragana.

Examples

  • 手伝てつだったつもりが、かえって迷惑めいわくをかけてしまった。

    I meant to help, but I actually made things worse.

  • 薬くすりを飲のんだら、かえって具合ぐあいが悪わるくなった。

    I took some medicine, and it actually made me feel worse.

  • 急いそいだら、かえって時間じかんがかかった。

    I hurried, and it ended up taking longer.

  • 安やすい物ものを買かうと、かえって高たかくつく。

    Buying cheap things ends up costing you more.

  • 説明せつめいを聞きいて、かえってわからなくなった。

    Listening to the explanation only confused me more.

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