反
anti-
Readings
On'yomi
- ハン
- ホン
- タン
- ホ
Kun'yomi
- そ.る
- そ.らす
- かえ.す
- かえ.る
- -かえ.る
Nanori
- そり
- た
Meaning
反 centers on opposition and reversal: being against something, turning back, or bending away from a straight path. The single gloss 'anti-' captures the core idea of facing or moving in the opposite direction.
Most common words using 反
24 of 546- 反応はんのうN2
reaction; response
- 反対はんたいN4
opposition; resistance; antagonism; hostility; objection; dissent
- 違反いはんN3
violation; offense; offence; breach; transgression; infringement; contravention
- 反はんN2
anti-
- 反映はんえいN2
reflection (of light)
- 反発はんぱつN1
opposition; rebellion; revolt; resistance; backlash; refusal
- 反省はんせいN3
reflection; reconsideration; introspection; meditation; contemplation
- 反乱はんらんN1
insurrection; mutiny; rebellion; revolt; uprising
- 反射はんしゃN1
reflection; reverberation
- 反するはんするN1
to be contrary (to); to go against; to run counter (to); to contradict; to be opposite (to)
- 反撃はんげきN1
counterattack; counteroffensive; counterblow
- 反論はんろんN2
objection; refutation; rebuttal; counterargument
- 反日はんにちN1
anti-Japanese
- 反面はんめんN2
while; although; though; but
- 反抗はんこうN3
opposition; resistance; insubordination; defiance; hostility; rebellion
- 反響はんきょうN1
echo; reverberation
- 反動はんどうN1
reaction; recoil; kick; backlash
- 反転はんてん
rolling over; turning over
- 反則はんそくN1
foul; breaking the rules
- 反逆はんぎゃくN1
treason; treachery; mutiny; rebellion; insurrection
- 反るそるN1
to warp; to curve; to arch; to bend
- 反復はんぷく
repetition; repeat; reiteration
- 反感はんかんN1
antipathy; antagonism; animosity; revulsion; ill feeling
- 反戦はんせんN1
anti-war
Study
Etymology
反 is traditionally explained as a hand 又 bending or turning something, with 厂 possibly representing a bent object or a cliff face. The idea of bending back or opposing is central.
Meaning mnemonic
The right side 又 is a hand, and the left side 厂 looks like a bent surface. Picture a hand pressing against a bent wall, pushing back in opposition: 反 means anti- or reverse.
Reading mnemonic
For ハン, imagine a hand pushing back against a huge pan: pan -> ハン, and the hand is opposing the pan's weight.