Chinese word

逆

Pronunciation

Pinyinnì

Meaning

  • adjectiveopposite

Example

那辆车朝着逆方向开来。nà liàng chē cháo zhe nì fāng xiàng kāi lái

That car is coming in the opposite direction.

Illustration for 逆 (opposite)

More examples

指针开始向逆时针方向转动。zhǐ zhēn kāi shǐ xiàng nì shí zhēn fāng xiàng zhuǎn dòng

The pointer starts turning counterclockwise.

Core concept

The arrow of movement points along the line opposite to the one used as the standard.

Common phrases

  • 逆时针nì shí zhēn

    counterclockwise

  • 逆光nì guāng

    against the light

  • 逆向思维nì xiàng sī wéi

    reverse thinking

Similar words

相反xiāng fǎn: Describes two things or qualities that are completely opposite to each other.
颠倒diān dǎo: Describes something whose usual order, position, or arrangement has been reversed.

Definition in Chinese

表示相对于某一参照方向朝相反方向的状态或趋向。biǎo shì xiāng duì yú mǒu yì cān zhào fāng xiàng cháo xiāng fǎn fāng xiàng de zhuàng tài huò qū xiàng

Word origin

Historically, 逆 (nì, "opposite") means to go against or resist, and its meaning develops from opposing something to moving in the opposite direction.

Usage tips

  • When a sign, map, or announcement gives a direction, this word helps describe traffic, wind, water, or another moving thing going the other way without implying disagreement.

Other meanings

  • reversenoun

Opposites

  • 顺时针shùn shí zhēnclockwiseadjective
  • 顺光shùn guāngwith the lightadjective

Related words

  • 逆向nì xiàngreverseadjective
  • 逆转nì zhuǎnreverseverb
  • 逆差nì chātrade deficitnoun

Word lists with this word