Japanese word

対照的

Pronunciation

Romajitaishōteki

Meaning

  • na-adjectivein sharp contrast

Example

姉と弟の性格は対照的です。ane to otōto no sei kaku wa tai shō teki de su

The personalities of the sister and brother are in sharp contrast.

Illustration for 対照的 (in sharp contrast)

More examples

昼と夜では街の雰囲気が対照的です。hiru to yoru de wa machi no fun i ki ga tai shō teki de su

The city has sharply contrasting atmospheres during the day and at night.

Core concept

Describes two people or things whose different qualities become especially clear when they are viewed together.

Common phrases

  • 対照的な色tai shō teki na iro

    contrasting colors

  • 対照的な特徴tai shō teki na toku chō

    contrasting characteristics

  • 対照的な立場tai shō teki na tachi ba

    contrasting positions

Similar words

対比的taihiteki: Describes a quality or relationship that becomes clear through comparison.
対極的taikyokuteki: Describes two people or things that occupy opposite ends of a scale.
正反対seihantai: Describes two people or things that are completely opposite in nature or quality.

Definition in Japanese

人や物など二つの対象の性質が大きく異なり、互いの違いがはっきり現れているさま。hito ya mono na do futa tsu no tai shō no sei shitsu ga ō ki ku koto na ri taga i no chiga i ga ha kki ri arawa re te i ru sa ma

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 対照的 (taishōteki) combines 対 (tai, "face or oppose"), 照 (shō, "shine on or compare"), and 的 (teki, "relating to"); 対照 (taishō) means contrast, and 的 forms an adjective.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 対照的 (taishōteki) commonly follows nouns joined by と (to), marking a clear contrast between them rather than merely saying they are different.

Related words

Word lists with this word