逆
逆·reverse, opposite, go against
- On-yomi
- ギャク
- Kun-yomi
- さかさからう
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 逆 | ぎゃく | the reverse, the opposite |
| 逆らう | さからう | to go against, to defy |
| 逆さま | さかさま | upside down, inside out |
| 逆転 | ぎゃくてん | a reversal, a turnaround |
Example sentences
電車を逆の方向に乗ってしまいました。
でんしゃをぎゃくのほうこうにのってしまいました。
I got on the train going in the opposite direction.
絵が逆さまに掛かっていますよ。
えがさかさまにかかっていますよ。
The picture is hanging upside down.
親に逆らったことはほとんどありません。
おやにさからったことはほとんどありません。
I have almost never defied my parents.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 逆転 as *さかてん instead of ぎゃくてん
- Using 逆 where 反対 fits better — 反対 is the standard word for 'the opposite side/against'; 逆 is more often 'the other way round'
Memory aid
Picture it
The road radical 辶 with a person drawn upside down on top — someone walking back against the traffic.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 逆ささかさupside down, the wrong way round, inverted
- 逆様さかさまupside down, the wrong way round, inverted
- 逆にぎゃくにconversely, on the contrary
- 逆らうさからうto go against; to defy
- 逆ぎゃくreverse, opposite, the other way round
- 逆説ぎゃくせつparadox
- 逆行ぎゃっこうgoing backward, running counter
- 反逆はんぎゃくtreason, revolt
- 逆立ちさかだちhandstand; headstand; standing on one's head
- 逆上るさかのぼるto go upstream; to go back (in time); to be retroactive
- 吃逆しゃっくりhiccough; hiccup
- 逆転ぎゃくてんreversal; sudden change; turn-around; coming from behind (in sport)
Quick check
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What does the kanji 逆 mean?