反 — Anti-, Opposite, Reverse

Meaning

The kanji 反 (han, hon, so.ru) carries a core meaning of 'anti-', 'opposite', 'reverse', or 'turning back'. Its visual structure subtly suggests these ideas. The upper part, 厂 (gandare), depicts a cliff or shelter, while the lower right component, 又 (mata), is a stylized representation of a hand or 'again'. Some scholars interpret this as a hand pushing against something, or turning an object over, thus illustrating opposition or reversal. Historically, the character has been associated with the image of a hand overturning something, which explains its meanings of 'reverse' or 'anti-'.

Essentially, 反 represents the act of moving against, turning away from, or contradicting something. This can manifest as a physical reversal, like curving or warping, or as an abstract opposition, such as disagreement or resistance. With just four strokes, it's a relatively simple kanji to write. It's a Grade 3 kanji, usually introduced to Japanese elementary school students, and plays a vital role in many N3-level vocabulary words, making it essential for intermediate learners.

Readings

On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings

The on'yomi readings of 反 come from its original Chinese pronunciation and are primarily found in compound words.

The most common on'yomi is ハン (han). You'll often see this reading in words that express opposition, reversal, or reflection.

反対はんたい (hantai) — opposition; contrary. Use this compound when you want to express disagreement or refer to the opposite side of something. For example, 意見いけんに反対はんたいする (iken ni hantai suru) means 'to oppose an opinion'.
反応はんのう (hannou) — reaction; response. This term describes how someone or something reacts to a stimulus. For example, 化学反応かがくはんのう (kagaku hannou) means 'chemical reaction'.
違反いはん (ihan) — violation; breach. This word signifies breaking a rule or law. For instance, 規則きそくに違反いはんする (kisoku ni ihan suru) means 'to violate a rule'.

Another, less common, on'yomi is ホン (hon). While ハン is far more prevalent, ホン appears in a few specific compounds.

反物ほんもの (honmono) — bolt of cloth. This word refers to an uncut roll of fabric.
反ホン (hon) — a tan (unit of area). This is a traditional Japanese unit for measuring land area.

Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings

The kun'yomi readings are native Japanese pronunciations, typically used when 反 appears alone or as part of a verb stem.

そ.る (so.ru) — to warp; to curve; to bend backward. This is the intransitive verb form.

板いたが反そる (ita ga soru) — the board warps. This describes materials like wood bending out of shape.
体からだを反そらす (karada o sorasu) — to arch one's back. This refers to physically bending backwards.

そ.らす (so.rasu) — to avert; to turn away; to deflect. This is the transitive form of 'soru'.

視線しせんを反そらす (shisen o sorasu) — to avert one's gaze. This means turning one's eyes away from something.
注意ちゅういを反そらす (chūi o sorasu) — to divert attention. This means causing someone's attention to shift elsewhere.

かえ.す (kae.su) — to return; to give back; to turn over. This reading suggests returning something to its original state or place, or physically turning it over.

本ほんを返かえす (hon o kaesu) — to return a book. (Note: while often written with 返 for 'return', 反 can specifically convey the sense of turning something over.)
反かえす (kaesu) — to turn inside out. For instance, you might use this when turning a garment inside out.

かえ.る (kae.ru) — to turn over; to revert. This is the intransitive counterpart to 'kaesu'.

身みを反かえる (mi o kaeru) — to turn oneself over.
反かえる (kaeru) — to reflect; to introspect. This is often used in a more abstract sense of looking back at one's actions or self-reflection.

Common Words & Compounds

Opposition & Reversal

反対はんたい (hantai) — opposition; contrary.
反発はんぱつ (hanpatsu) — repulsion; rebound; rebellion.
反撃はんげき (hangeki) — counterattack.
反論はんろん (hanron) — objection; rebuttal.
反戦はんせん (hansen) — anti-war.

Action & Response

反応はんのう (hannou) — reaction; response.
反射はんしゃ (hansha) — reflection; reflex.
違反いはん (ihan) — violation; breach.
反省はんせい (hansei) — reflection; introspection.

Physical Turning & Curving

反るそる (soru) — to warp; to curve; to bend backward.
反らすそらす (sorasu) — to avert; to turn away.
反り返るそりかえる (sorikaeru) — to bend backwards; to arch one's back.

Example Sentences

彼かれは私わたしの意見いけんに反対はんたいしました。

Kare wa watashi no iken ni hantai shimashita.

He opposed my opinion.

木きの板いたが熱ねつで反そってしまいました。

Ki no ita ga netsu de sotte shimaimashita.

The wooden board warped due to the heat.

質問しつもんにすぐ反応はんのうするのが難むずかしいです。

Shitsumon ni sugu hannou suru no ga muzukashii desu.

It's difficult to react immediately to questions.

法律ほうりつに違反いはんしてはいけません。

Hōritsu ni ihan shite wa ikemasen.

You must not violate the law.

彼女かのじょは視線しせんを反そらして、答こたえませんでした。

Kanojo wa shisen o sorashite, kotaemasen deshita.

She averted her gaze and didn't answer.

彼かれは自分じぶんの行動こうどうを反省はんせいする必要ひつようがあります。

Kare wa jibun no kōdō o hansei suru hitsuyō ga arimasu.

He needs to reflect on his actions.

敵てきの攻撃こうげきに反撃はんげきしました。

Teki no kōgeki ni hangeki shimashita.

We counterattacked the enemy's attack.

そのその小説しょうせつは社会しゃかいの問題もんだいを反映はんえいしています。

Sono shōsetsu wa shakai no mondai o hanei shiteimasu.

That novel reflects societal problems.

子供こどもたちは、先生せんせいの言葉ことばに反発はんぱつしました。

Kodomotachi wa, sensei no kotoba ni hanpatsu shimashita.

The children rebelled against the teacher's words.

Memory Tip

Picture a hand (又) pushing back against a cliff or a barrier (厂). This vivid image captures the essence of 反, conveying meanings like 'against' or 'opposite'. The hand actively resists, turns away, or causes a reversal. This simple visual of pushing back effectively links the kanji's components to the concepts of opposition or changing direction. A good way to remember it is: 'a hand pushing something back (反)'.