Japanese word

正反対

Pronunciation

Romajiseihantai

Meaning

  • nounexact opposite

Example

彼の答えは私の答えと正反対です。kare no kota e wa watashi no kota e to sei han tai de su

His answer is the exact opposite of mine.

Illustration for 正反対 (exact opposite)

More examples

その二人は性格が正反対です。so no futa ri wa sei kaku ga sei han tai de su

Those two people have completely opposite personalities.

Core concept

Presents a contrast so complete that the two sides occupy opposite ends of the same scale.

Common phrases

  • 正反対の性格sei han tai no sei kaku

    opposite personalities

  • 正反対の意見sei han tai no i ken

    opposite opinions

  • 正反対の方向sei han tai no hō kō

    opposite directions

Similar words

真逆masaka: A complete opposite, often used in casual speech.
反対hantai: A state or quality that is opposite to another.
対極taikyoku: One of two farthest positions on the same scale or spectrum.

Definition in Japanese

二つの物事が性質や内容において、全く反対であること。futa tsu no mono goto ga sei shitsu ya nai yō ni o i te matta ku han tai de a ru ko to

Word origin

正 (sei, "right") + 反 (han, "against") + 対 (tai, "face") form a compound in which 正 strengthens 反対 (hantai, "opposite") to mean exact opposition.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 正反対 (seihantai) is common in descriptions such as 正反対の性格 (seihantai no seikaku), where it highlights a complete contrast between people.

Opposites

Word lists with this word