inverted, reverse, opposite, wicked

About this kanji

The kanji 「逆」 primarily means "reverse" or "opposite." It indicates a situation that is opposite to what is expected. This kanji is typically used as a noun, but it can also appear in verbs. Common compounds include 逆転 (ぎゃくてん), meaning "reversal of a situation," and 逆さ (さかさ), which means "inverted" or "upside down." Another example is 逆境 (ぎゃっきょう), meaning "adverse circumstances." A helpful usage note is that while this kanji often has negative connotations, it can also refer to a positive change or turnaround in certain contexts.

Example sentences

• 結果は逆の方向に進んだ。

  The results progressed in the opposite direction.

Meanings across languages

English

inverted, reverse, opposite, wicked

Tiếng Việt

đảo ngược, ngược, đối lập, đê tiện

日本語

逆さ, 反転, 反対, 邪悪

한국어

역전, 반전, 반대, 사악

中文

倒, 逆, 对立, 邪恶

id

terbalik

th

กลับด้าน

es

invertido

fr

inverse

de

umgekehrt

pt

inverso

Common compounds

• 逆転ぎゃくてんreversal (of a situation), turnaround, turnabout
• 吃逆しゃっくりhiccup, hiccough
• 逆ささかさinverted, upside down, reversed
• 逆境ぎゃっきょうadverse circumstances, unfortunate situation, adversity
• 逆襲ぎゃくしゅうcounterattack
• 逆風ぎゃくふうheadwind, adverse wind
• 真逆まさかby no means, never!, well, I never!
• 反逆はんぎゃくtreason, treachery, mutiny