Translation guide
The English preposition 'against' has many uses. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: expressing opposition, physical contact, comparison/contrast, protection, and more. Japanese often uses particles like に, を, と, or specific verbs instead of a single word.
lean against the wall
against the law
Expressing being opposed to an idea, plan, person, or action.
The most direct way to say 'be against something'. 反対 (はんたい) means opposition. Use with に.
I am against the plan.
He is against the war.
Means 'to go against' someone's wishes, orders, or natural flow. Often used for defying authority or resisting.
You must not go against your parents.
Formal or literary term for being hostile or antagonistic against someone.
Touching or pressing on a surface.
To lean against something. 寄りかかる is the standard verb.
Showing how something is different from or compared to something else.
Means 'compared to/against'. Use when making a direct comparison.
Guarding against something harmful.
To protect against/from. Note the particle から (from) is used, not 'against' directly.
Trading one thing for another, often in financial contexts.
Doing something that violates a rule.
To be against the law/rules. 違反 (いはん) means violation.
Facing an opponent in sports or games.
To play a match against someone. 対戦 (たいせん) means a match or bout.
Doing something reluctantly or despite oneself.
Means 'in spite of' or 'against' when something happens contrary to expectations.
English 'against' is often expressed by Japanese particles (に, を, と, から) or specific verbs. There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses. Always consider the meaning you want to convey.
lean against the wall
Swim against the current.
He leads a force that is hostile against the government.
Please don't lean against the wall.
Also means to lean against, often with a sense of resting heavily.
He was sleeping leaning against the sofa.
To hit or strike against something, often accidentally.
The ball hit against the window.
Compared against last year, this year is hot.
Can mean 'against' in the sense of 'in contrast to' or 'toward'.
She argued against his opinion.
Sunscreen protects the skin against UV rays.
To prepare against something, like a disaster.
Buy water in preparation against earthquakes.
Hand over the goods against cash.
Can be used in contexts like 'against payment'.
Provide service against a fee.
That is against the law.
Similar to 違反, but broader: against principles, expectations, etc.
An act against the rules.
Tomorrow we play against a strong team.
To fight against. Can be physical combat or metaphorical struggle.
He is fighting against illness.
Against the rain, I went out.
Adverb meaning 'reluctantly' or 'against one's will'.
I accepted it against my will.
be against the plan
に反対する is for stating opposition to ideas/plans. に逆らう is for defying a person, authority, or natural force. Use に反対 for debates, に逆らう for rebellion.
Oppose a tax increase.
Go against the boss.