1.
opposing opinion; dissenting view; objection
An opinion or view that contradicts or opposes a given proposal, decision, or mainstream position. Common in meetings, debates, parliamentary proceedings, and any discussion where differing viewpoints are expressed.
反対意見はありますか。
Are there any opposing opinions?
反対意見を述べるのは勇気がいる。
It takes courage to express a dissenting opinion.
会議では反対意見が多く出て、結論がまとまらなかった。
Many opposing opinions came up at the meeting and they couldn't reach a conclusion.
Compound of 反対 ('opposition; opposite') and 意見 ('opinion; view'). A neutral, formal term for expressing disagreement that carries no inherently negative connotation — in deliberative contexts, 反対意見 is treated as a healthy and expected part of decision-making.
USAGE:
- Standard in business meetings, academic discussions, and parliamentary debate
- Often paired with 賛成意見 ('supporting opinion') as contrasting terms
- In Japanese workplace culture, voicing 反対意見 directly can be socially delicate, so people often soften it with expressions like 「少し違う考えがあるのですが」
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 反対意見を述べる: to state an opposing opinion
- 反対意見が出る: opposing opinions come up
- 反対意見を聞く: to listen to dissenting views
- 反対意見を押し切る: to override objections
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 異論: objection; differing opinion — more formal and slightly stronger; implies a substantive disagreement with reasoning
- 異議: objection; protest — used in formal or legal settings (異議あり! 'Objection!')
- 批判: criticism — goes beyond disagreement to evaluate and find fault with something