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

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.

Related Words

Compare: 矛盾(むじゅん) (contradiction)
general
Added 2026.2.8 14:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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