1.
rebellious spirit; spirit of defiance
An inner urge to resist or defy authority, rules, or those above oneself. Often used of adolescents toward parents and teachers.
彼は反抗心が強い。
He has a strong rebellious streak.
厳しく叱ると反抗心を抱くことがある。
Scolding harshly can sometimes breed defiance.
思春期には親に対する反抗心が芽生えることが多い。
In adolescence, a spirit of defiance toward one's parents often begins to take root.
Compound of 反抗 (resistance, rebellion) + 心 (mind, spirit). Describes an internal feeling, so it pairs with verbs of holding or arising rather than acting.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 反抗心が強い: to have a strong rebellious streak
- 反抗心を抱く: to harbor defiance
- 反抗心が芽生える: defiance begins to grow
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 反抗期: rebellious phase — the developmental period, not the feeling itself
- 反発: opposition; pushback — an outward reaction against something, often momentary