逆説(ぎゃくせつ)

ぎゃくせつ
noun
paradox
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:

  • 逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき): paradoxical (na-adjective)
  • 逆説的(ぎゃくせつてき)に: paradoxically
  • 逆説(ぎゃくせつ)を含(ふく)む: to contain a paradox

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.

DISTINCTION:
Not to be confused with 矛盾(むじゅん) (contradiction), which simply refers to logical inconsistency. 逆説(ぎゃくせつ) implies a deeper truth beneath the apparent contradiction.

general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27
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