Translation guide
Expresses doing something in the opposite direction, orientation, or manner. Covers physical reversal, inverted order, and metaphorical 'the other way around'.
To face, move, or turn in the opposite physical direction.
Literally 'opposite direction'. Used for movement, facing, or orientation.
彼は逆方向に歩き出した。
He started walking the other way.
すみません、逆方向に行ってしまいました。
Sorry, I went the wrong way.
Synonym for 'opposite direction', slightly more formal.
風が反対方向から吹いている。
The wind is blowing from the other way.
Casual 'that way' (over there). Often used with 行く or 向く.
駅はあっちだよ。
The station is the other way.
Facing the opposite way, often for objects or static orientation.
看板が逆向きに立っている。
The sign is facing the other way.
To do something in the opposite order, or to reverse a process.
In the opposite order. Use when steps or items are reversed.
手順を逆の順番でやってしまった。
I did the steps the other way around.
To reverse something. Flexible and common.
順番を逆にしてください。
Please reverse the order.
Colloquial for 'inside out', 'upside down', or 'the wrong way round'. Often implies a mistake.
To state that the opposite relationship is true, e.g., 'A causes B, not the other way around'.
Pattern for 'A is B, not the other way around'. Replace A and B with nouns.
需要が供給を決めるのではなく、供給が需要を決めるのだ。
Demand doesn't determine supply; it's the other way around.
Literally 'rather, it's the opposite'. Used to correct a statement.
彼が私を助けたんじゃなくて、むしろ逆だ。
He didn't help me; it was the other way around.
Adverb meaning 'conversely' or 'on the contrary'. Can imply 'the other way around'.
叱られると思ったら、逆に褒められた。
I thought I'd be scolded, but it was the other way around—I was praised.
To deliberately ignore something, often unethical.
Idiom: 'pretend not to see'. Equivalent to 'look the other way' in the sense of ignoring wrongdoing.
警察は賄賂を受け取って見て見ぬふりをした。
The police took bribes and looked the other way.
Literally 'close one's eyes'. Means to overlook or turn a blind eye.
小さなミスには目をつぶってあげよう。
I'll look the other way on small mistakes.
The phrase 'the other way' is not the same as 'another way' (別の方法). Use 別の方法 (べつのほうほう) for alternative methods, not 逆方向.
靴があべこべだよ。
Your shoes are on the wrong feet.