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反り返る (そりかえる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 100,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
warp ; bend backwards ; throw one's head/shoulders back
Describes something bending or curving backwards, often with force or exaggeration. Used for physical objects (boards, metal) and for a person leaning back or puffing out the chest.
そ
り
返かえ
ら
せ
た
。
He threw his body back in surprise.
Written forms 反そ り 返かえ る Usage 69%
そりかえる Usage 15%
そり 返かえ る Usage 11%
Kana-kanji mixed spelling, common in casual writing.
反そ りかえる Usage 5%
Rare mixed spelling with okurigana on the first element.
Similar words 反そ る 反る is the base verb meaning 'to warp' or 'to bend backwards'. 反り返る adds emphasis, suggesting a stronger or more exaggerated backward bend.
曲ま がる 曲がる is a general verb for bending or curving in any direction. 反り返る specifically means bending backwards or warping in a convex shape.
Etymology Compound of 反り (continuative form of 反る, 'to bend backwards') + 返る ('to turn over, to reverse'), emphasizing a strong backward bending or warping.