Japanese word

逆さ

Pronunciation

Romajisakasa

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveupside down

Example

その絵を逆さにしないでください。so no e o saka sa ni shi na i de ku da sa i

Please do not turn the picture upside down.

Illustration for 逆さ (upside down)

More examples

本を逆さに持つと、文字が読みにくいです。hon o saka sa ni mo tsu to moji ga yo mi ni ku i de su

If you hold the book upside down, the writing is hard to read.

Core concept

Describes something whose normal orientation is turned so that its top and bottom, or its front and back, face the opposite way.

Common phrases

  • 逆さにするsaka sa ni su ru

    turn upside down

  • 逆さになるsaka sa ni na ru

    become upside down

Similar words

逆さまsakasama: Describes something turned completely over from its normal position.

Definition in Japanese

物の上下や表裏が通常とは反対になっている状態。mono no jō ge ya hyō ri ga tsū jō to wa han tai ni na tte i ru jō tai

Word origin

The native Japanese word 逆さ (sakasa) is based on 逆 (saka, "opposite") with the ending さ (sa), expressing an opposite orientation.

Usage tips

  • In the compound 逆さ文字 (sakasamoji), 逆さ (sakasa) describes writing displayed with its top and bottom reversed.

Other meanings

  • reversedna-adjective
  • back to frontna-adjective

Related words

Word lists with this word