How to say "instead" in Japanese

• むしろJLPT N3approx.Common
  adverbCovers 'instead' as 'rather' or 'if anything': rejecting one description or choice in favor of a more accurate or preferable one, often after a negative statement. Typical in comparisons and corrected characterizations.
  今日きょうはむしろ外出がいしゅつしたくない。↗

  I would rather not go out today.
• かえってJLPT N2approx.Common
  adverbCovers 'instead' as 'on the contrary': an action or measure produces the opposite of what was intended or expected, sometimes to an even greater degree. Used for unexpected, contrary outcomes, not for expressing preference.
  高望たかのぞみをするとかえって損そんをする。↗

  You may go farther and fare worse.

Use 「むしろ」 when 'instead' means 'rather' or 'if anything', replacing one description or choice with a more accurate or preferable one; use 「かえって」 when an action produces the opposite of the intended or expected result.

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

• むしろrather
• かえってon the contrary
• その代わりそのかわりinstead
• それどころかon the contrary
• それよりもmore importantly
• それよかmore importantly