Explore 反 in words about opposing, reflecting and responding.

The idea

反 has four strokes; follow the linked diagram. Its common on-reading is はん, as in 反対（はんたい）, 反省（はんせい） and 反応（はんのう）. Learn the reading with each whole word.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingMeaning
反対はんたいopposition; opposite
反省はんせいreflection on one’s actions
反応はんのうreaction

Examples

  • 私わたしはこの計画けいかくに反対はんたいです。I oppose this plan.
  • 駅えきは川かわの反対側はんたいがわにあります。The station is on the opposite side of the river.
  • 昨日きのうの失敗しっぱいを反省はんせいしました。I reflected on yesterday’s mistake.
  • 子こどもが音おとに反応はんのうしました。The child reacted to the sound.
  • カードを裏返うらがえしてください。Please turn the card over.
  • 姉あねの意見いけんは私わたしの意見いけんと反対はんたいです。My sister’s opinion is the opposite of mine.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

反対 can mean opposition to a plan or the opposite side; context determines the sense. Do not confuse 反 with 返, which contains 反 plus a movement component.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 反対 in hiragana.

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    はんたい

    反対 is はんたい: it can express opposition to a plan.

  2. Write the reading of 反応 in hiragana.

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    はんのう

    反応 is はんのう: notice the long おう sound in the second part.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿省（はんせい）［反／返］.

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    反

    反 makes 反省（はんせい）, reflection on one’s actions.

Use it today

Write 反 using the diagram, cover the table and read the three words. Then make a sentence with 反対.