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.
野党はその法案に反対した。
The opposition opposed the bill.
Refers to a faction or group that opposes something, often within an organization or on a specific issue.
党内の反対派が増えている。
The opposition within the party is growing.
Opposition forces or the collective power of opposition parties, used in political analysis.
野党勢力が結束した。
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.
その計画に反対です。
I'm opposed to that plan.
彼は私の意見に反対した。
He opposed my opinion.
Implies active resistance or pushback, often against authority or change.
Formal objection, often used in legal or official contexts.
彼は判決に異議を唱えた。
He raised an objection to the ruling.
Describing two things that are completely different or opposite in nature.
Refers to a state of conflict or opposition between ideas, groups, or forces.
二つの意見が対立している。
The two opinions are in opposition.
Means exact opposite or diametrically opposed.
A verb meaning to be mutually contradictory or incompatible.
The team or player you are competing against in a game or match.
General word for opponent or the other party in a competition.
次の相手は強いチームだ。
Our next opposition is a strong team.
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.
住民は新しい開発計画に抵抗した。
The residents opposed the new development plan.
彼の考えは私のと正反対だ。
His idea is the complete opposite of mine.
Their interests are in opposition.
Specifically an opponent in a match or game.
対戦相手を尊重しよう。
Let's respect the opposition.