逆(ぎゃく)に

ぎゃくに
adverb
conversely; on the contrary; rather; instead
grammatical
1. conversely; on the contrary; in reverse
indicates the opposite or reverse of what was stated or expected
逆(ぎゃく)に考(かんが)えてみよう。
Let's think about it the other way around.
良(よ)くなるどころか、逆(ぎゃく)に悪(わる)くなった。
Far from getting better, it actually got worse.
逆(ぎゃく)に言(い)えば、チャンスでもある。
Conversely speaking, it's also an opportunity.
2. rather; instead; actually
introduces an unexpected or contrasting result or perspective
怒(おこ)られると思(おも)ったが、逆(ぎゃく)に褒(ほ)められた。
I thought I'd be scolded, but instead I was praised.
節約(せつやく)したつもりが、逆(ぎゃく)に出費(しゅっぴ)が増(ふ)えた。
I intended to save money, but expenses increased instead.
逆(ぎゃく)に聞(き)きたいんだけど。
Let me turn the question around and ask you.

Common patterns

  • 逆(ぎゃく)に言(い)えば (conversely, to put it the other way)
  • 逆(ぎゃく)に考(かんが)えると (if you look at it the other way around)
  • 逆(ぎゃく)に聞(き)くけど (let me turn the question back to you)
  • 〜どころか、逆(ぎゃく)に〜 (far from ~, actually the opposite)

Usage

Very common in conversation for an opposite perspective, a result contrary to expectation, or a question turned back on the listener. In casual speech, especially among young people, it is also used loosely as a filler where nothing is really reversed (逆(ぎゃく)に美味(おい)しい, "surprisingly tasty"); avoid that use in careful speech.

Similar words

  • かえって: only for a result that is the opposite of what was intended or expected (ex2 of sense 2); it cannot introduce "the other way around" as in 逆(ぎゃく)に言(い)えば
  • 反対(はんたい)に: in the opposite direction or way; close to sense 1
  • むしろ: "rather", choosing the more fitting of two descriptions (暑(あつ)いというよりむしろ痛(いた)い)

Related words

Related Words

Compare: 反対(はんたい) (on the contrary)
Compare: 却(かえ)って (rather, on the contrary)
Compare: むしろ (rather, instead)
general
Added 2026.1.25 18:58 · Revised 2026.9.24 12:23
08000/08269_gyakuni