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裏腹 (うらはら, urahara) Japanese meaning: opposite | Kotomora
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こと
葉ば
と
本ほん
心しん
は
裏うら
腹はら
だ
。
His words and his true feelings are opposite.
Contrary to expectations, the result was terrible.
Related words 逆 is a general word for the reverse or opposite (direction, order, logic), while 裏腹 specifically points to a mismatch between outward appearance/words and inner truth.
反対 covers opposite positions, opinions, or actions in general, whereas 裏腹 is narrower, describing a hidden contradiction between surface and substance.
矛盾 is a broader term for any logical contradiction or inconsistency, while 裏腹 specifically frames one thing (words, looks) as the opposite of another (feelings, reality).
Written forms 裏うら 腹はら Usage 85%
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news word.
うらはら Usage 13%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is not needed.
ウラハラ Usage 2%
Etymology Formed from 裏, “back,” and 腹, “front or belly,” denoting two opposite sides. From this developed the senses “contrary” and, of paired sides, “back to back” or “inseparable.”
