How to say "contrast" in Japanese

• コントラストJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe loanword, covering contrast in its most general sense — especially the visual contrast of light and dark or of colors in photos, art and design — and also striking differences between people or things.
  その洋服ようふくは赤あかと白しろのコントラストが美うつくしい。↗

  The dress has a beautiful contrast between red and white.
• 対照たいしょうJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbContrast between two things set side by side, stressing how sharply they differ; a natural choice for "their personalities are in sharp contrast". Also renders antithesis and comparison.
  以下いかの説明せつめいは多おおくの異ことなる理論りろんを比較的ひかくてき対照たいしょうすることによって得えられたものである。↗

  The explanation below was achieved by comparing and contrasting a variety of different theories.
• 対比たいひJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbContrast as juxtaposition: comparing two things to bring out their differences, the word that comes to mind when you weigh A against B in discussion or analysis.
  空そらと山やまの対比たいひが鮮烈せんれつだ。↗

  The contrast between the sky and the mountain is striking.
• 対置たいちCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveOpposing one thing to another; contraposition. Seldom the word you want for plain "contrast": it really describes setting two things in deliberate opposition to each other.
• 引き換えるひきかえるCommon
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbA verb: to be in contrast (to), to contrast (with). Choose it when the sentence needs the verb "to contrast (with)" rather than a noun for the contrast itself.

「コントラスト」 is the general loanword, especially for visual contrast; 対照 and 対比 both contrast two things side by side; 対置 is for setting things in opposition; 「引き換える」 is the verb "to contrast (with)".

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• コントラストcontrast
• 対照たいしょうcontrast
• 対比たいひcontrast
• 対置たいちopposing (a thing) to (another)
• 見合わせるみあわせるto contrast
• 引き換えるひきかえるto be in contrast (to)
• 浮き立つうきたつto stand out
• 見合わすみあわすto contrast