逆説(ぎゃくせつ)

ぎゃくせつ
noun
paradox
formalacademiccognition
1. paradox
A statement or situation that seems contradictory or absurd but may actually be true or contain a deeper truth.
それは逆説(ぎゃくせつ)だ。
That is a paradox.
逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき)に聞(き)こえるかもしれない。
It might sound paradoxical.
急(いそ)がば回(まわ)れというのは、逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき)だが的(まと)を射(い)ている。
"More haste, less speed" is paradoxical but hits the mark.

Common collocations

Usage

Used in intellectual, academic, and literary discussions. The derived na-adjective 逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき) (paradoxical) and its adverbial form 逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき)に (paradoxically) are frequently used in essays and commentary.

Similar words

  • 矛盾(むじゅん): contradiction — a plain logical inconsistency; 逆説(ぎゃくせつ) implies a deeper truth beneath the apparent contradiction

Watch out

  • 逆接(ぎゃくせつ): adversative connection, the grammar term for "but" links such as しかし and けれども — same reading, different second kanji

Related Words

Compare: 矛盾(むじゅん) (contradiction)
general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27 · Revised 2026.10.10 21:40
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