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裏腹 (うらはら) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
na-adjective, noun
opposite ; contrary ; reverse
Describes a situation where the outward appearance or stated intention is the opposite of the inner reality or true feeling. Often used in the pattern ～と裏腹に.
き
待たい
と
は
裏うら
腹はら
に
、
結けっ
果か
は
散さん
々ざん
だっ
た
。
Contrary to expectations, the result was terrible.
2
na-adjective, noun
front and back ; back to back ; inseparable
Rare, literal or spatial sense: two things placed back to back, or two sides of the same thing. Mostly found in older or literary descriptions.
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%
Similar words 逆ぎゃく 逆 is a general word for 'reverse' or 'opposite' in direction, order, or logic. 裏腹 specifically emphasizes a contrast between outer appearance/words and inner reality/feelings.
反はん 対たい 反対 means 'opposition' or 'the opposite side' and is used for physical positions, opinions, or actions. 裏腹 is more about a hidden contradiction between surface and substance.
Etymology Compound of 裏 (ura, 'back, reverse side') and 腹 (hara, 'belly, mind'). The combination suggests the idea of the back of the belly, i.e., the hidden inner side, which contrasts with the outer appearance.
