Translation guide
The act of changing something to its opposite, or a complete change in direction, outcome, or order.
Expressing that a situation, decision, or trend has turned into its opposite.
A reversal of fortune, situation, or order. Often used in sports, games, or dramatic turnarounds.
試合は後半で逆転した。
The game reversed in the second half.
形勢が逆転した。
The situation was reversed.
Turning over or reversing direction, often physical or metaphorical. Used for flipping, rolling, or a complete change in trend.
Going back to a previous state; a reversal of progress. Often negative.
交渉が逆戻りした。
The negotiations went back to square one.
To be overturned (of a decision, ruling, or theory). Intransitive.
判決が覆った。
The verdict was reversed.
When two parties swap their usual roles or positions.
The positions are reversed. Common for describing a role reversal.
今度は立場が逆転した。
This time the roles were reversed.
The opposite position or role. Often used with になる or に立つ.
彼は逆の立場になった。
He found himself in the opposite position.
When an official decision, policy, or ruling is changed to its opposite.
Withdrawal or revocation of a statement, decision, or policy. Implies taking back what was previously said or decided.
政府はその政策を撤回した。
The government reversed its policy.
To overturn (a decision, ruling, or common sense). Transitive.
Change of mind; reversal of intention. Formal and somewhat literary.
A sudden change from good to bad or bad to good luck.
A reversal of fate. Often used in stories or dramatic contexts.
それは運命の逆転だった。
It was a reversal of fortune.
The tables have turned; a complete reversal of the situation. Often used in competitive contexts.
形勢逆転で彼が勝った。
The tables turned and he won.
逆転 (gyakuten) is more about a reversal of order, outcome, or situation, often abstract. 反転 (hanten) often implies a physical turning over or a reversal of direction/movement. 逆転 is more common for dramatic turnarounds in games or life; 反転 is used for flipping, rolling, or trend reversals in economics.
Avoid directly translating 'reversal' as リバーサル (ribāsaru) in most contexts. The loanword is used mainly in specific technical or entertainment fields (e.g., wrestling moves, film). For general use, choose the appropriate Japanese word based on context.
裁判所はその判決を覆した。
The court reversed the ruling.
We urged him to reverse his decision.