相反

xiāngfǎn

adjective HSK 4 #3,256

Meanings

1 opposite; contrary
2 on the contrary

Characters

mutual; each other

opposite; reverse; to turn over

Mutually reversed — pointing in opposite directions.

Examples

他们的意见完全相反。

Tāmen de yìjiàn wánquán xiāngfǎn.

Their opinions are completely opposite.

相反，我觉得很有意思。

Xiāngfǎn, wǒ juéde hěn yǒu yìsi.

On the contrary, I think it's very interesting.

结果和我想的相反。

Jiéguǒ hé wǒ xiǎng de xiāngfǎn.

The result was the opposite of what I expected.

Tips

grammar

相反 can be used as an adjective (意见相反, opposite opinions) or as a transitional phrase at the start of a sentence (相反，..., On the contrary, ...). When used at the start, it introduces a contrasting point.

usage

Compare with 反而 (fǎn'ér, instead/on the contrary), which emphasizes an unexpected reversal: 他没有生气，反而笑了 (He didn't get angry; instead, he laughed).

Stroke Order

相 xiāng

反 fǎn