裏腹
Meanings
1
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.
His words and his true feelings are opposite.
Contrary to expectations, the result was terrible.
2
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.
The two houses are built back to back.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉とは裏腹にcontrary to ~; in contrast with ~
Contrary to his confident manner, he was actually very anxious inside.
- 〈事〉と裏腹の〈事〉~ that is the opposite of ~
I had noticed her feelings, which were the opposite of what she said.