相反 (xiāngfǎn) — opposite; on the contrary
HSK 5 | adjective/adverb | expressing the idea of being contrary or the reverse
相反 (xiāngfǎn)
相反 is used to express opposition or contradiction between two things, either as an adjective describing opposite states or as a discourse marker introducing a contrasting statement.
Meanings
- [adjective] opposite; contrary; reverse
- [adverb/conjunction] on the contrary; conversely
Example Sentences
他们两人的性格截然相反，一个内敛，一个开朗。 Tāmen liǎng rén de xìnggé jiérán xiāngfǎn, yī gè nèilǎn, yī gè kāilǎng. The two of them have completely opposite personalities -- one introverted, one outgoing.
我以为他会反对，相反，他非常支持这个计划。 Wǒ yǐwéi tā huì fǎnduì, xiāngfǎn, tā fēicháng zhīchí zhège jìhuà. I thought he would object; on the contrary, he strongly supported the plan.
这两种方法的效果恰好相反。 Zhè liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ de xiàoguǒ qiàhǎo xiāngfǎn. The effects of these two methods are exactly opposite.
减少休息时间并没有提高效率，相反，还导致了工作质量下降。 Jiǎnshǎo xiūxi shíjiān bìng méiyǒu tígāo xiàolǜ, xiāngfǎn, hái dǎozhì le gōngzuò zhìliàng xiàjiàng. Reducing rest time did not improve efficiency; on the contrary, it led to a decline in work quality.
他们两人的观点完全相反，根本无法达成共识。 Tāmen liǎng rén de guāndiǎn wánquán xiāngfǎn, gēnběn wúfǎ dáchéng gòngshí. Their views are completely opposite and they simply cannot reach a consensus.
事情的发展与预期的恰好相反。 Shìqíng de fāzhǎn yǔ yùqī de qiàhǎo xiāngfǎn. Events developed in exactly the opposite way from what was expected.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 截然相反 (jiérán xiāngfǎn) | completely/diametrically opposite |
| 恰好相反 (qiàhǎo xiāngfǎn) | exactly the opposite |
| 方向相反 (fāngxiàng xiāngfǎn) | opposite direction |
| 相反的意见 (xiāngfǎn de yìjiàn) | contrary opinion |
| 与此相反 (yǔ cǐ xiāngfǎn) | in contrast to this |
| 相反地 (xiāngfǎn de) | conversely; on the contrary |
Usage Notes
相反 serves double duty as both an adjective and a discourse connector. When used as an adjective, it typically follows the noun it modifies or appears in predicate position: 方向相反 (opposite directions), 结果相反 (opposite results).
As a discourse marker, 相反 introduces a statement that contradicts the previous one and is equivalent to "on the contrary" or "conversely." It is slightly more formal than 反而 (fǎn'ér), which focuses on an unexpected reversal.
Memory Hook
相 (mutually/each other) + 反 (reverse/opposite) -- mutually reversed -- opposite; on the contrary.