1.
upside down, inverted
With the top and bottom positions reversed.
絵が逆様に掛かっている。
The picture is hanging upside down.
本を逆様に持っていた。
I was holding the book upside down.
カップを逆様にして乾かす。
I dry the cup by turning it upside down.
2.
reverse, opposite
In the opposite order or direction.
順番が逆様になった。
The order became reversed.
靴を左右逆様に履いていた。
I was wearing my shoes on the wrong feet.
話の順番が逆様で、最初に結論を言ってしまった。
The order of the story was reversed, and I stated the conclusion first.
逆様 describes something being upside down, inverted, or in reverse order. It functions as a na-adjective and is often used adverbially with に.
KANJI:
More commonly written in kana as さかさま or 逆さま. The kanji 逆様 is less frequent.
FORMS:
- Na-adjective: 逆さまな状態 (an upside-down state)
- Adverbial: 逆さまに持つ (to hold upside down)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 逆さまにする: to turn upside down
- 逆さまになる: to become upside down/reversed
- 左右逆さま: left and right reversed
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 逆: reverse, opposite (more abstract/general)
- 反対: opposite (direction, opinion)
- 裏返し: inside out, turned over