後(うし)ろ向(む)き

うしろむき
noun, adjective (na)
backward-looking, pessimistic
1. facing backward, turned away
Physically facing or oriented toward the back.
後(うし)ろ向(む)きに座(すわ)る。
To sit facing backward.
後(うし)ろ向(む)きの姿勢(しせい)で立(た)っていた。
He was standing with his back turned.
後(うし)ろ向(む)きに倒(たお)れた。
He fell over backward.
2. pessimistic, negative, passive
Having a negative or passive attitude toward something. The opposite of 前向(まえむ)き (positive, forward-looking).
後(うし)ろ向(む)きな考(かんが)え方(かた)はやめよう。
Let's stop thinking negatively.
後(うし)ろ向(む)きな発言(はつげん)が多(おお)い。
There are many pessimistic remarks.
後(うし)ろ向(む)きな態度(たいど)では何(なに)も変(か)わらない。
Nothing will change with a negative attitude.

後(うし)ろ向(む)き has both a physical meaning (facing backward) and a figurative meaning (pessimistic, negative). The figurative sense is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

USAGE:

Can function as both a noun and a na-adjective:

  • Na-adjective: 後(うし)ろ向(む)きな態度(たいど) (a negative attitude)
  • Adverb: 後(うし)ろ向(む)きに考(かんが)える (to think negatively)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 後(うし)ろ向(む)きな考(かんが)え方(かた): negative thinking
  • 後(うし)ろ向(む)きな発言(はつげん): pessimistic remarks
  • 後(うし)ろ向(む)きな態度(たいど): passive/negative attitude
  • 後(うし)ろ向(む)きに倒(たお)れる: to fall backward (physical)

OPPOSITE:

  • 前向(まえむ)き: forward-looking, positive, proactive

NOTE:
The 向(む)き pattern is productive: 前向(まえむ)き (forward), 横向(よこむ)き (sideways), 上向(うわむ)き (upward), 下向(したむ)き (downward).

Related Words

Antonym: 前向(まえむ)き (positive)
general
Added 2026.3.14 13:25 · Revised 2026.3.29 19:42
16500/16690_ushiromuki