相反 (xiāngfǎn) — opposite; contrary; on the contrary

相反 (xiāngfǎn)

相反 means "opposite" or "contrary." As an adjective it describes two things that are diametrically opposed. As an adverb (often 相反地 or as a sentence connector), it introduces a statement that is the reverse of what was just said — similar to English "on the contrary."

Meanings

1. [adjective] Opposite; contrary; reverse — describes two things that point in opposite directions.
2. [adverb] On the contrary; instead — introduces a statement that is the reverse of the previous one.

Example Sentences

我以为他会生气，相反，他笑了。 Wǒ yǐwéi tā huì shēngqì, xiāngfǎn, tā xiào le. I thought he would be angry; on the contrary, he smiled.

他们两人性格完全相反。 Tāmen liǎng rén xìnggé wánquán xiāngfǎn. The two of them have completely opposite personalities.

这两种方法方向相反，不能同时使用。 Zhè liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ fāngxiàng xiāngfǎn, bù néng tóngshí shǐyòng. These two methods go in opposite directions and cannot be used at the same time.

多说不一定有用，相反，有时候安静更重要。 Duō shuō bù yīdìng yǒuyòng, xiāngfǎn, yǒushíhòu ānjìng gèng zhòngyào. Talking a lot is not necessarily helpful; on the contrary, sometimes being quiet is more important.

Collocations

Memory Hook

相 = "mutually"; 反 = "to flip/reverse." 相反 = two things flipping against each other — a perfect mirror image of opposition.