Japanese kanji 逆: reverse and opposite

The idea

逆 has 9 strokes; use the linked diagram for their order. Read 逆さ as さかさ, 逆 as ぎゃく and 逆効果 as ぎゃくこうか.

Examples

• 地図ちずを逆さかさに持もっています。I am holding the map upside down.
• 駅えきとは逆ぎゃくの方向ほうこうに歩あるきました。I walked in the opposite direction from the station.
• 両親りょうしんは私わたしの計画けいかくに反対はんたいしました。My parents opposed my plan.
• 風かぜが逆ぎゃくに吹ふいています。The wind is blowing in the opposite direction.
• 練習れんしゅうしすぎると、逆効果ぎゃくこうかになることがあります。Practising too much can have the opposite effect.
• 順番じゅんばんを逆ぎゃくにして、最後さいごから読よみます。I reverse the order and read from the end.

Watch out

逆さ describes an inverted orientation; 逆 can also mean the opposite direction or order. 反対 can express opposition without using 逆.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 逆さ in hiragana.

   Show answer or example answer

   さかさ

   逆さ is さかさ: the map is upside down. Learn the reading with the whole word.

2. Write the reading of 逆効果 in hiragana.

   Show answer or example answer

   ぎゃくこうか

   逆効果 is ぎゃくこうか: too much practice can have the opposite effect.

3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿方向（ぎゃくほうこう）［逆／近］.

   Show answer or example answer

   逆

   逆 completes 逆方向, ぎゃくほうこう, meaning the opposite direction.

Use it today

Write 逆 using the diagram, then describe an upside-down object and an opposite direction.