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もとる Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
go against ; act contrary to ; run counter to ; deviate from
usually written using kana alone
Used when something goes against a principle, expectation, or standard. Often appears in formal or written contexts with words like 期待 (expectations), 道理 (reason), or 規則 (rules).
その 提てい 案あん は 会かい 社しゃ の 方ほう 針しん に もとる 。
That proposal runs counter to the company's policy.
Written forms もとる Usage 69%
Usually written in kana. The kanji forms 悖る and 戻る are rare and may be unfamiliar to many readers.
戻もと る Usage 18%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form for this meaning; more commonly read as もどる (to return).
悖もと る Usage 13%
Rare kanji form; not commonly used in modern writing.
Similar words 反はん する 反する is more common and neutral for 'to be contrary to' or 'to violate'. もとる is more literary and often implies a deviation from an ideal or principle.
背そむ く 背く means 'to disobey' or 'to betray', often with a stronger sense of turning against a person or authority. もとる is more about going against abstract standards.
Etymology Derived from classical Japanese verb もとる, meaning 'to go against' or 'to be twisted'. The kanji 悖 is used specifically for this meaning, while 戻 is a rare alternative. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.
