Meaning & Usage
に反して (ni hanshite) means "contrary to" or "against." It shows that reality directly contradicts a stated expectation, rule, or wish.
The pattern: X (noun) + に反して + Y (what actually happened). X sets the standard — a prediction, rule, or someone's hopes — and Y overturns it. Example: 私の予想に反して、雨が降った (Contrary to my prediction, it rained).
The nuance shifts with the noun. Prediction words (予想, 期待) signal surprise. Rules or laws (規則, 法律) mark a violation. Wishes or orders (希望, 命令) often imply defiance — and carry a slightly critical tone.
に反して is formal. It fits naturally in news reports, official statements, and written Japanese. In casual conversation it can sound stiff; 〜のに or 〜と違って work better there.
Structure & Formation
に反して attaches to nouns and noun phrases.
Formation:
Noun + に反して / に反し
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 名詞 + に反して | 期待に反して (contrary to expectations) |
| Noun phrase | [noun phrase] + に反して | 彼の約束に反して (contrary to his promise) |
Three surface forms appear in practice:
に反して (ni hanshite): The standard adverbial form. Connects the contradicted noun to the following clause. Used in most contexts.
に反し (ni hanshi): The conjunctive form, used in formal or literary writing. More concise; functions like a て-form connector.
に反する (ni hansuru): The attributive form, modifying nouns directly. Example: 規則に反する行為 (an act contrary to the rules).
The most common form is Noun + に反して.
Example Sentences
Contrary to Expectations/Predictions
私の予想に反して、試合は大差で終わった。
Watashi no yosō ni hanshite, shiai wa taisa de owatta.
Contrary to my prediction, the game ended with a large margin.
彼の期待に反して、結果は思わしくなかった。
Kare no kitai ni hanshite, kekka wa omowashikunakatta.
Contrary to his expectations, the results were not favorable.
天気予報に反して、今日は快晴だ。
Tenkiyohō ni hanshite, kyō wa kaisei da.
Contrary to the weather forecast, it's clear and sunny today.
世間の見方に反して、その映画は大成功を収めた。
Seken no mikata ni hanshite, sono eiga wa daiseikō o osameta.
Contrary to public opinion, that movie was a great success.
Against Rules/Laws/Principles
法律に反して、その会社は不法投棄を行っていた。
Hōritsu ni hanshite, sono kaisha wa fuhōtōki o okonatte ita.
Against the law, that company was illegally dumping waste.
校則に反して、生徒は携帯電話を使用した。
Kōsoku ni hanshite, seito wa keitaidenwa o shiyō shita.
Against school rules, the student used a mobile phone.
常識に反するような行動は慎むべきだ。
Jōshiki ni hansuru yō na kōdō wa tsutsushimu beki da.
One should refrain from actions that go against common sense.
基本原理に反するような結論には納得できない。
Kihongenri ni hansuru yō na ketsuron ni wa nattoku dekinai.
I cannot accept conclusions that go against fundamental principles.
Contrary to Wishes/Orders
父の願いに反して、彼は家業を継がなかった。
Chichi no negai ni hanshite, kare wa kagyō o tsuganakatta.
Contrary to his father's wishes, he did not take over the family business.
私の意図に反して、誤解が生じてしまった。
Watashi no ito ni hanshite, gokai ga shōjite shimatta.
Contrary to my intention, a misunderstanding arose.
上司の命令に反し、独自の判断で行動した。
Jōshi no meirei ni hanshi, dokuji no handan de kōdō shita.
Against the boss's orders, he acted on his own judgment.
国民の声に反する政策は受け入れられない。
Kokumin no koe ni hansuru seisaku wa ukeirerarenai.
Policies contrary to the voice of the people cannot be accepted.
私の望みに反して、彼は遠くへ引っ越してしまった。
Watashi no nozomi ni hanshite, kare wa tōku e hikkoshite shimatta.
Contrary to my wishes, he moved far away.
選手たちの意気込みに反して、チームは敗北した。
Senshutachi no ikigomi ni hanshite, chīmu wa haiboku shita.
Contrary to the players' enthusiasm, the team was defeated.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Incorrect Particle Usage
❌ 私は予想が反して、雨が降った。
✅ 私の予想に反して、雨が降った。
The particle is always 「に」. It marks the standard being violated. Other particles like が or を don't work here. Always remember: Noun + に反して.
Mistake 2: Using in Casual Conversation for Simple Contradictions
❌ 「今日、晴れるって言ってたのに、天気予報に反して雨だよ！」 ✅ 「今日、晴れるって言ってたのに、雨じゃん！」
Grammatically fine, but に反して sounds oddly stiff for a weather complaint. In casual speech, drop it entirely or use 「天気予報と違って」. Save に反して for written Japanese and formal situations.
Mistake 3: Confusing with "Opposite Direction"
❌ 彼は駅に反して歩いた。
✅ 彼は駅とは反対方向に歩いた。
に反して expresses conceptual contradiction — expectations, rules, intentions — not physical direction. For "in the opposite direction," use 「〜とは反対方向に」 or 「〜とは逆に」.
Mistake 4: Overusing for Simple Negative Outcomes
❌ 頑張ったに反して、試験に落ちた。
✅ 頑張ったのに、試験に落ちた。
「頑張った」 implies an expected good result, but there is no explicit standard being violated — just a disappointed hope. に反して needs a clear, named opposing concept (a rule, a prediction, an order). When the contrast is emotional rather than logical, 「〜のに」 fits better.
Cultural Notes
Breaking a named expectation or rule carries real weight in Japanese communication. Saying 法律に反して or 常識に反して isn't just descriptive — it marks a serious breach. The formality of に反して amplifies this: it frames the contradiction as an objective, documented fact rather than a personal complaint.
This formality also makes it a tool for indirect criticism. Saying 私の希望に反して states disappointment clearly while stopping short of direct accusation — useful in formal apologies or when explaining an unwanted outcome to a superior. Official statements use に反して for exactly this reason: it names the violated standard without demanding confrontation.
JLPT Tips
In N2 reading passages, に反して often marks a pivot — expectations get stated, then overturned. When you spot it, focus on the noun before it. That noun names exactly what was violated, and comprehension questions often ask about that contrast.
Grammar choice questions may ask you to select the correct particle before 反して (always に) or to distinguish に反して from similar expressions. The key: に反して requires a specific, named standard being contradicted. It is not a general "despite." ～にもかかわらず handles broader contrasts; ～をよそに handles intentional disregard. Knowing this distinction is enough to eliminate wrong choices.
Practice with different noun types: 予想, 希望, 規則, 命令. Each shifts the tone slightly — and that range is exactly what grammar discrimination questions test.