Japanese word

逆らう

Pronunciation

Romajisakarau

Meaning

  • verbgo against

Example

彼は親に逆らいました。kare wa oya ni saka ra i ma shi ta

He went against his parents.

Illustration for 逆らう (go against)

More examples

私は先生の助言に逆らって、自分の方法を試しました。watashi wa sen sei no jo gen ni saka ra tte ji bun no hō hō o tame shi ma shi ta

I went against my teacher's advice and tried my own method.

Core concept

Describes resisting a person, rule, or direction instead of following it.

Common phrases

  • 親に逆らうoya ni saka ra u

    go against one's parents

  • 命令に逆らうmei rei ni saka ra u

    disobey an order

Similar words

背くsomuku: To fail to follow an order or advice, often by acting in the opposite way.
反抗するhankōsuru: To openly resist a person or authority that seeks to control one's actions.
反発するhanpatsusuru: To oppose a demand, opinion, or authority in response to pressure.
抗うaragau: To struggle against a force, pressure, or fate without giving in.

Definition in Japanese

人や規則などの意向・命令に従わず、反対の行動を取る。hito ya ki soku na do no i kō mei rei ni shitaga wa zu han tai no kō dō o to ru

Word origin

The native verb 逆らう (sakarau, "to resist") uses 逆 (saka, "against") in its written form, but no fully certain explanation of how the complete word developed is available.

Usage tips

  • The verb 逆らう (sakarau) can sound stronger than simply saying that opinions differ because it suggests refusing to follow another person's wishes or direction.

Other meanings

  • defyverb
  • disobeyverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word