Translation guide
The English phrase 'set against' has several distinct meanings: to compare or contrast, to offset or balance, to make someone oppose, and to place something against a background. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
To compare two things, often to highlight differences or evaluate them relative to each other.
General pattern for comparing A with B. Use と to mark the thing being compared against.
今年の売上を去年のと比べると、少し減っている。
When you set this year's sales against last year's, they are slightly down.
More formal than 比べる. Often used in written or analytical contexts.
新システムのコストを旧システムのコストと比較した。
We set the cost of the new system against that of the old system.
To check or evaluate A against a standard or reference B. Implies careful scrutiny.
応募者の資格を要件に照らし合わせて選考します。
We will set applicants' qualifications against the requirements and make selections.
To use one thing to counterbalance or compensate for another, often financially.
To offset A with B. Commonly used in accounting and business contexts.
損失を利益で相殺することができた。
We were able to set the losses against the profits.
To make up for A with B. More general than 相殺, can be used for non-financial compensation.
遅刻した分を残業で埋め合わせた。
I set my lateness against overtime work.
To deduct or net B from A. Used in calculations.
経費を収入と差し引きして純利益を出す。
Set expenses against income to calculate net profit.
To cause someone to be hostile or opposed to another person or thing.
To make A antagonistic toward B. Strong and direct.
彼の言葉が友人を私に敵対させた。
His words set my friend against me.
To make A oppose B. Slightly less intense than 敵対させる.
その政策は国民を政府に反対させた。
The policy set the people against the government.
To drive a wedge between A and B, causing them to become estranged or opposed.
噂が二人の仲を裂いた。
The rumor set the two against each other.
To position something so that it is seen or contrasted with a background.
To place A against the background of B. Neutral and descriptive.
白い花瓶を暗い壁の背景に置いて撮影した。
I photographed the white vase set against a dark wall.
To make A stand out against B. Emphasizes visual contrast.
赤いドレスが緑の森に映えていた。
The red dress was set against the green forest.
To make A stand out vividly against B. Often used in artistic contexts.
夕日が山並みに浮き立って見えた。
The sunset was set against the mountain range.
Do not directly translate 'set against' as セットする or 置く unless you are physically placing something. The meaning depends heavily on context.