真逆(まぎゃく)

まぎゃく
noun
the complete opposite; the exact reverse
1. the complete opposite; the exact reverse
Describes something that is diametrically opposed to something else, with no room for ambiguity or partial overlap.
真逆(まぎゃく)だよ。
It's the exact opposite.
あの二人(ふたり)は性格(せいかく)が真逆(まぎゃく)だ。
Those two have completely opposite personalities.
彼(かれ)の意見(いけん)は私(わたし)とは真逆(まぎゃく)の方向(ほうこう)を向(む)いている。
His opinion is pointing in the completely opposite direction from mine.

A relatively new word that became widespread in the 2000s. Traditionally, 正反対(せいはんたい) was the standard word for "the exact opposite," and some speakers still consider 真逆(まぎゃく) to be informal or colloquial. It is now common in everyday conversation and casual writing, but 正反対(せいはんたい) remains preferred in formal contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 真逆(まぎゃく)の方向(ほうこう): the opposite direction
  • 真逆(まぎゃく)の意見(いけん): the opposite opinion
  • 真逆(まぎゃく)の性格(せいかく): the opposite personality
  • 真逆(まぎゃく)の結果(けっか): the opposite result

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 正反対(せいはんたい): the complete opposite — more formal and traditional; used in both writing and speech
  • 逆(ぎゃく): reverse, opposite — more general and neutral; does not emphasize "completely"

Related Words

Related: 逆(ぎゃく)
general
Added 2026.4.6 23:19
22000/22474_magyaku