Translation guide
Describes someone who habitually opposes or does the opposite of what is expected, often for the sake of being different or difficult.
To describe a person who often takes the opposite stance or does the opposite of what others want or expect.
A person who deliberately does the opposite of what is advised or expected; a contrarian by nature. Often used in a slightly humorous or self-deprecating way.
He's such a contrary person that if you praise him, he'll immediately deny it.
Literally 'twisted navel', meaning a perverse or contrary person who goes against the grain. Slightly colloquial.
That person is so contrary that if everyone says right, they go left.
A person who takes the opposite position or goes against the trend, often used in contexts like investing or opinions.
He's always a contrarian, so he invariably voices opposing opinions in meetings.
Similar to へそ曲がり, meaning a perverse or cross-grained person. Somewhat old-fashioned.
That contrary old man complains about everything.
To describe someone who is stubbornly uncooperative or resistant to others' wishes.
Both describe a contrary person, but 天邪鬼 (あまのじゃく) often implies a playful or inherent contrarian nature, while へそ曲がり (へそまがり) can sound more negative, like someone who is perverse or deliberately obstructive.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'contrary person' in all contexts. Using 逆の人 (ぎゃくのひと) would be unnatural. Choose the term that best fits the nuance of stubbornness, perversity, or contrarianism.
It's impossible to persuade that contrary old crank.