逆
inverted, reverse, opposite, wicked
Readings
On'yomi
- ギャク
- ゲキ
Kun'yomi
- さか
- さか.さ
- さか.らう
Meaning
逆 centers on going against the expected direction or order: something inverted, reversed, or opposite. The sense of wickedness extends this idea to morally going against what is right.
Most common words using 逆
20 of 261- 逆ぎゃくN3
reverse; opposite
- 逆転ぎゃくてんN2
reversal (of a situation); turnaround; turnabout; turning the tables; sudden change; comeback
- 逆らうさからうN3
to go against; to oppose; to disobey; to defy
- 反逆はんぎゃくN1
treason; treachery; mutiny; rebellion; insurrection
- 逆襲ぎゃくしゅう
counterattack
- 逆ささかさN2
inverted; upside down; reversed; back to front
- 逆手さかて
underhand grip (e.g. in gymnastics, etc.)
- 逆戻りぎゃくもどり
retrogression; reversal; relapse; doubling back; backtracking
- 逆流ぎゃくりゅう
backward flow; backflow; countercurrent; reflux; regurgitation
- 逆行ぎゃっこう
backward movement; reverse movement; going backwards; retrogression; going in the wrong direction; going against (e.g. the times); running counter to
- 逆境ぎゃっきょうN1
adverse circumstances; unfortunate situation; adversity
- 逆さまさかさまN2
inverted; upside down; reversed; back to front; wrong way round
- 逆恨みさかうらみ
being resented (by someone one holds resentment towards)
- 逆立ちさかだちN1
handstand; headstand
- 逆説ぎゃくせつ
paradox
- 逆上ぎゃくじょう
going into a frenzy; flying into a rage
- 逆算ぎゃくさん
counting backwards; calculating backwards
- 逆鱗げきりん
one's superior's anger
- 不可逆ふかぎゃく
irreversible
- 逆風ぎゃくふう
headwind; adverse wind
Study
Etymology
逆 combines 辶 (movement) with 屰, which likely depicts an inverted person or something upside-down, together suggesting going against or opposing.
Meaning mnemonic
The movement radical 辶 surrounds 屰, which looks like an upside-down person. Picture someone walking in the opposite direction, going against the flow.
Reading mnemonic
For ギャク, imagine a rebellious yak walking backwards: gyak -> ギャク, and the yak's reverse movement captures the kanji's meaning.