逆にthe other way around; conversely
What comes next is the reverse of what you'd expect, or of what was just said: "actually", "conversely". In conversation it also hands a question back.
the reverse of what you'd expect
I hurried, and it actually took longer.
the reverse case
In summer we get a lot of customers and it's busy. Conversely, winter is slow.
a question handed back
What about you: where do you think would be good?
How to use it
逆に + the reverse
An adverb. It stands in front of what is reversed, or opens a new sentence. 逆 alone is a noun: 逆だ, "it's the other way around".
- Where you'll meet it
- Conversation above all, casual or polite. Also explanations in writing.
The reverse of what you'd expect
I had a coffee, and it actually made me sleepy.
I got lost, but it actually turned out well. I found a nice place.
逆によかった: a setback that turned out well.
The reverse case
At the start of a sentence it sets the opposite case beside the first: "conversely".
On days when I've slept well, I'm in good form. Conversely, on days when I'm short of sleep, nothing goes right.
In Japan cars drive on the left. In America it's the other way around.
The noun by itself.
Handing a question back
Asked something, you turn the question around: "what about you?"
What do you do on your days off?
Nothing much. What about you? What do you do?
逆に言えば
逆に言えば, or 逆に言うと, is "put the other way around": the same fact from the other side.
One person in ten passes. Put the other way around, nine fail.
Close neighbours
かえってN3
Only for a result that went the opposite way from what was meant or expected. There either fits, and 逆に is the more casual. かえって can't set two cases side by side or hand a question back.
I took a shortcut, but there were roadworks, so it actually took longer.
むしろN3
"If anything": of two ways to put something, the one you are keeping. With 逆に the two are opposites; with むしろ they need not be.
It's not so much cool today as cold, if anything.
一方（で）N3
Sets a second fact beside the first, in writing and careful speech. It need not be the opposite: here it is simply one more thing.
My older sister works during the day and also goes to school at night.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
父は
Choose an answer to see why.
2What is B doing?
A
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
In casual talk, especially among younger people, 逆に also brings in a view that turns the obvious one round: 逆にあり, "that actually works".
When someone is this bad at it, it's actually impressive.
More sentences
I tried to help, and got told off for it.
The station is in the opposite direction.
Excuse me, may I ask you a question in return?
This place is quiet. Put the other way around, it doesn't get many customers.