Meaning
The kanji 逆 (ぎゃく, さか) means “reverse,” “opposite,” “inverse,” “against,” or “adverse.” It represents something moving in a contrary direction, standing upside down, or acting in opposition to a norm or flow. This character effectively conveys the idea of counteraction or inversion in various contexts, from physical movement to abstract situations.
It originates from combining two components: the left radical 辶 (しんにょう, shinnyou), which signifies “movement,” “walking,” or “going,” and the right component 屰 (ぎゃく/げき). The right component, 屰, visually shows a person whose head is turned backward, or perhaps even standing upside down. This symbolizes something “contrary” or “inverted.” When combined, 逆 literally means “moving in a contrary direction” or “going against the flow.” This visual link helps understand its abstract meanings of opposition, reversal, and defiance.
With 9 strokes, 逆 is a Jōyō Kanji (common use kanji). Students typically learn it in secondary school, corresponding to a JLPT N2 level. Knowing its construction helps learners grasp its various nuances and applications in Japanese words and phrases.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 逆 is ギャク (GYAKU). Derived from its original Chinese pronunciation, this reading is mainly used when 逆 forms part of a compound word (熟語, jukugo). Words using ギャク often express reversal, opposition, or adverse conditions.
- 逆転 (gyakuten) — Meaning a sudden turn, reversal, or comeback. It's often used in sports for a dramatic turn of events, or more generally, to describe a complete change in a situation.
- 逆行 (gyakkou) — Meaning going backward, retrogression, or moving against the current. It implies moving contrary to the expected or normal direction.
- 逆効果 (gyakukouka) — Meaning an adverse effect or a counterproductive result. It describes situations where an action leads to the opposite of the intended outcome.
- 逆流 (gyakuryuu) — Meaning a countercurrent, reflux, or reverse flow. While common in scientific or medical contexts, it's also used metaphorically for opposing trends. For example, 時代の逆流 (jidai no gyakuryuu) means "a counter-current of the times."
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings for 逆 are native Japanese pronunciations. They are typically used when the kanji stands alone, often with okurigana (送り仮名) – accompanying hiragana characters – or in certain native Japanese compounds. These readings offer more direct, everyday expressions of the kanji's meaning.
さか (saka): This reading often describes things being upside down or inverted.
逆さま (sakasama) — Meaning upside down, inverted, or reverse. It describes being oriented in the opposite direction from normal, such as 逆さまになる ("to turn upside down").
逆立ち (sakadachi) — Meaning a handstand or standing on one's head. This is a literal application of the "upside down" meaning.
さから-う (sakara-u): This is the reading for the verb 逆らう (sakarau), meaning "to go against," "to oppose," "to defy," or "to disobey." It describes actively resisting or moving contrary to an authority, rule, or flow.
逆らう (sakarau) — To go against, to oppose, to defy.
流れに逆らう (nagare ni sakarau) — To go against the current/flow.
さかさ (sakasa): Similar to さか, this reading also denotes reversal or inversion, often used with other words.
逆さ (sakasa) — Reverse, inverted, upside down. It can be used adverbially or as a noun, for example, 逆さに読む ("to read backward").
逆さ言葉 (sakasa kotoba) — A palindrome (lit. "reverse word"), a word or phrase that reads the same forwards and backward, like トマト (tomato).
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 逆 is an integral part of many Japanese words, conveying opposition, reversal, or deviation. Here are some common words and compounds, grouped by their nuanced meanings:
Words of Reversal and Change:
- 逆転 (gyakuten) — A sudden turn, reversal, or comeback. It often describes a dramatic change of fortune, especially in sports (e.g., 逆転勝利, "comeback victory") or business.
- 逆さま (sakasama) — Upside down, inverted, or reverse. This describes a physical state of being turned the wrong way up, like wearing clothes 逆さま.
- 逆行 (gyakkou) — Going backward, regression, or moving against the tide. It implies moving contrary to progress or a standard direction, such as 時代に逆行する ("to go against the times").
- 逆流 (gyakuryuu) — A countercurrent, reflux, or reverse flow. This can refer to water, air, or even trends.
Words of Opposition and Defiance:
- 逆らう (sakarau) — To go against, to oppose, to defy, or to disobey. This verb is fundamental for expressing resistance to authority, rules, or natural forces, like 親に逆らう ("to disobey one's parents").
- 逆効果 (gyakukouka) — An adverse effect or counterproductive result. It's used when an action has the opposite of its desired outcome, such as 逆効果になる ("to backfire").
- 逆ギレ (gyakugire) — Getting angry at someone who should rightfully be angry at you. This colloquial term describes a perverse display of anger.
- 逆恨み (sakaurami) — Resentment felt towards someone who helped you, or a grudge against someone you have wronged (i.e., when the anger is 'reversed' from what it should be).
Words of Direction and Position:
- 逆立ち (sakadachi) — A handstand, or standing on one's head. A literal inversion of position, like 壁で逆立ちする ("to do a handstand against a wall").
- 逆方向 (gyakuhoukou) — The opposite direction. Used for physical directions or abstract trends, for example, 逆方向へ進む ("to proceed in the opposite direction").
- 逆光 (gyakkou) — Backlight or contre-jour. It refers to light coming from behind the subject, often creating a silhouette in photography.
Words of Adversity:
- 逆境 (gyakkyou) — Adversity, hardship, or hard times. It refers to difficult or unfavorable circumstances, often overcome, such as 逆境を乗り越える ("to overcome adversity").
- 逆風 (gyakufuu) — Headwind or adverse wind. It can be literal or metaphorical, meaning unfavorable conditions or opposition, e.g., 逆風に立ち向かう ("to face adverse winds").
Example Sentences
彼は流れに逆らって泳いだ。
Kare wa nagare ni sakaratte oyoida.
He swam against the current.
部屋の時計が逆さに動いている。
Heya no tokei ga sakasa ni ugoiteiru.
The clock in the room is moving backward.
計画が逆効果になることもある。
Keikaku ga gyakukouka ni naru koto mo aru.
Sometimes plans can have the opposite effect.
彼は常識に逆らうのが好きだ。
Kare wa joushiki ni sakarau no ga suki da.
He likes to go against common sense.
試合は最後に劇的な逆転で勝利した。
Shiai wa saigo ni gekiteki na gyakuten de shouri shita.
The game ended in a dramatic comeback victory.
靴下を逆さまに履いてしまった。
Kutsushita wo sakasama ni haite shimatta.
I accidentally put my socks on inside out.
困難な逆境にもめげず、彼は努力を続けた。
Kon'nan na gyakkyou ni mo megezu, kare wa doryoku wo tsuzuketa.
Despite the difficult adversity, he continued his efforts.
風に逆らって自転車を漕ぐのは本当に大変だ。
Kaze ni sakaratte jitensha wo kogu no wa hontou ni taihen da.
It's really hard to cycle against the wind.
彼の提案は世論に逆行している。
Kare no teian wa yoron ni gyakkou shiteiru.
His proposal goes against public opinion.
Memory Tip
To remember 逆, visualize its components. The left radical, 辶 (しんにょう), represents "movement" or "walking." The right component, 屰, can be imagined as a stylized person with their head turned backward, or perhaps even standing on their head. This indicates something "contrary" or "inverted." So, you can remember 逆 as "to move (辶) in the opposite direction or be inverted (屰)." Imagine someone walking backward or upside down, moving against the natural order; this will help you easily recall its meanings of "reverse," "opposite," or "against."