(せいはんたい)

せいはんたい
noun
the exact opposite; diametrically opposed
1. the exact opposite; diametrically opposed
Completely and utterly opposite. Emphasizes that the contrast is total, not partial. Used for opinions, personalities, directions, and characteristics.
二人(ふたり)性格(せいかく)正反対(せいはんたい)だ。
Their personalities are the exact opposite.
あなたの意見(いけん)(わたし)正反対(せいはんたい)ですね。
Your opinion is the complete opposite of mine.
(えき)から正反対(せいはんたい)方向(ほうこう)(ある)いてしまい、迷子(まいご)になった。
I walked in the exact opposite direction from the station and got lost.

Stronger than 反対(はんたい) alone. (せい) adds the sense of "exactly" or "precisely," making the opposition absolute.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • Xと正反対(せいはんたい)の Y (Y that is the exact opposite of X)
  • 正反対(せいはんたい)方向(ほうこう) (the exact opposite direction)
  • 正反対(せいはんたい)性格(せいかく) (opposite personalities)

Can function as a no-adjective: 正反対(せいはんたい)意見(いけん) (the exact opposite opinion).