Translation guide
The English word "opposition" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. This guide breaks them down by meaning: political opposition, resistance or objection, contrast or being opposite, and sports opponents.
Referring to a political party or group that is not in power, or the act of opposing government policies.
The standard term for an opposition party or the opposition in a parliamentary context.
The opposition opposed the bill.
Refers to a faction or group that opposes something, often within an organization or on a specific issue.
The opposition within the party is growing.
Opposition forces or the collective power of opposition parties, used in political analysis.
The opposition forces united.
Expressing disagreement, resistance, or objection to an idea, plan, or action.
The most common and versatile word for opposition in the sense of objection or being against something.
I'm opposed to that plan.
Implies active resistance or pushback, often against authority or change.
Formal objection, often used in legal or official contexts.
Describing two things that are completely different or opposite in nature.
The team or player you are competing against in a game or match.
The English word 'opposition' is very broad. Directly translating it as 反対 (はんたい) works for objection, but for political opposition use 野党 (やとう), and for contrast use 対立 (たいりつ) or 正反対 (せいはんたい). Using 反対 in all cases will sound unnatural.
反対 (はんたい) is a general objection or being against something, often verbal. 抵抗 (ていこう) implies active resistance or struggle, like resisting arrest or resisting change. Use 抵抗 when there is a sense of pushing back against a force.
He opposed my opinion.
住民は新しい開発計画に抵抗した。
The residents opposed the new development plan.
He raised an objection to the ruling.
His idea is the complete opposite of mine.
彼らの利益は相反する。
Their interests are in opposition.
Specifically an opponent in a match or game.
Let's respect the opposition.