On The Contrary
Instead, Rather
adverb
The kanji means contrary, and this is the adverb version of that, so it means on the contrary.
却って is a common expression used when something brings the opposite result from what you expected, like "I tried to help, but instead it made things worse." The kanji version is formal, so you'll often see it in kana as かえって, especially in casual writing.
The reading is like 変える, which is to change. So, if you change what the other person is saying to another way, then you're saying you're changing things. It has the same reading, so remember it that way.
「大丈夫」と言われるたびに、却って不安になった。
Every time I was told "you'll be fine," it only made me more anxious.
説明を長くすると、却って分かりにくくなるよ。
Making the explanation longer actually makes it harder to understand.
気をつかって遠回しに言ったら、却って誤解を生んでしまった。
I tried to be considerate and say things indirectly, but that only ended up causing a misunderstanding.
良かれと思ってしたことが、却って裏目に出て友人のストレスになってしまいました。
I meant well, but my actions backfired and just ended up causing stress for my friend.