反抗|はんこうhankou[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N3approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbopposition; resistance; insubordination; defiance; hostility; rebellion
    彼かれらは王様おうさまの作つくった法律ほうりつに反抗はんこうした。↗
    They defied the laws of the king.
Conjugation
Dictionary form反抗する(はんこうする)
Polite (masu)反抗します(はんこうします)
Negative (nai)反抗しない(はんこうしない)
polite (masen)反抗しません(はんこうしません)
classical zu / nu反抗せず・反抗せぬ(はんこうせず・はんこうせぬ)
Past (ta)反抗した(はんこうした)
polite (mashita)反抗しました(はんこうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)反抗しなかった(はんこうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)反抗しませんでした(はんこうしませんでした)
Te form反抗して(はんこうして)
Potential反抗できる(はんこうできる)
Passive反抗される(はんこうされる)
Causative反抗させる(はんこうさせる)
Causative passive反抗させられる(はんこうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)反抗すれば(はんこうすれば)
tara反抗したら(はんこうしたら)
Volitional反抗しよう(はんこうしよう)
polite (mashou)反抗しましょう(はんこうしましょう)
Imperative反抗しろ(はんこうしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym楯突くたてつくCasualColloquial: talking back to a superior or elder and refusing their orders; pejorative, as in 「親に楯突く」.
  • Synonym歯向かうはむかうNeutralTurning on the strong from a weak position, as in 「強者に歯向かう」; a verb with a sharper edge than 「反抗」.
  • Synonym抵抗ていこうNeutralResisting outside force or power, also psychological aversion; broader than 「反抗」 and not limited to defiance of superiors.
  • Synonym逆らうさからうNeutralA verb for defying or going against, also for moving against the current; 「反抗」 is mostly a noun, as in 「反抗期」.
  • Synonym反発はんぱつNeutralFeeling resistance to someone's words or actions and rejecting them, as in 「反発を招く」; mainly emotional pushback, also physical rebound.
  • Synonym反するはんするWrittenUsually in the pattern 「~に反する」: being contrary to something, or violating rules and wishes, as in 「規則に反する」; not specifically about defying a superior.
  • Synonym抗うあらがうWrittenWritten/formal prose: refusing to submit to fate, trends and the like; literary in flavor, while 「反抗」 is typically about defying superiors.
  • Synonym手向かうてむかうNeutralDefying another's power or orders, as in 「親に手向かう」; rare today — 「歯向かう」 or 「逆らう」 is the usual choice.
  • Synonym抗するこうするWrittenWritten/formal prose: resisting or opposing, as in 「時流に抗する」; rare in modern use — say 「逆らう」 in speech.
  • Related反逆はんぎゃくWrittenWritten/formal prose: betraying a ruler or regime, as in 「反逆罪」; much heavier — 「反抗」 is usually just disobedience to elders or authority.
  • Related立ち向かうたちむかうNeutralBravely confronting difficulties or a strong opponent; positive nuance, while 「反抗」 is about defying authority.
  • Related抗戦こうせんWrittenWritten/formal prose: fighting in resistance; mostly in war contexts, whereas 「反抗」 is not limited to armed force.
  • Related対抗たいこうNeutralContending or competing with a rival, as in 「対抗試合」 or 「権力に対抗する」; the counterpart can be an equal or a power, while 「反抗」 is always disobedience to elders or authority.
  • Related反乱はんらんWrittenWritten/formal prose: rising in revolt against a ruler, as in 「反乱軍」; implies armed action, more intense than 「反抗」.
  • Related戦うたたかうNeutralTo fight, struggle, or compete; broad in scope and not specifically about defying elders or authority.
  • Related抗弁こうべんWrittenWritten/formal prose: rebutting or pleading one's case, in law a formal defense; confined to words, while 「反抗」 is usually disobedience in action.
  • Related背くそむくWrittenWritten/formal prose: violating orders or betraying; leans toward noncompliance, whereas 「反抗」 stresses active defiance.
  • Related抗議こうぎNeutralFormally lodging an objection, as in 「抗議デモ」; about voicing opposition, not disobedience.
  • Related敵対てきたいWrittenWritten/formal prose: treating someone as an enemy and opposing them, as in 「敵対関係」; not limited to hierarchical relations, while 「反抗」 is typically aimed upward.
  • Related反対はんたいNeutralHolding an opposing opinion; about taking a stance, while 「反抗」 is about disobedience in action.
  • Related抗うあらがうWrittenWritten/formal prose: refusing to submit to fate, trends and the like; literary in flavor, while 「反抗」 is typically about defying superiors.
  • Related背反はいはんWrittenWritten/formal prose: going against orders or self-contradiction; rare today — say 「背く」/「違反する」 for violation, 「矛盾」 for contradiction. 「反抗」 has no such sense.
  • Related抗拒こうきょWrittenWritten/formal prose: resisting and refusing to obey; very rare today — 「抵抗」 or 「拒否」 is the normal choice.
  • Antonym服従ふくじゅうWrittenAntonym: obeying orders or another's will, as in 「命令に服従する」 — the direct opposite of 「反抗」.
  • Antonym従順じゅうじゅんNeutralAntonym: docile and obedient, as in 「従順な性格」 — the opposite of defiant 「反抗」.
  • Antonym恭順きょうじゅんFormalFormal, written style: reverently obeying orders with a solemn tone — the opposite of 「反抗」.

Use 「反抗」 for disobedience toward elders or authority, as in 「反抗期」. For the verb, say 「逆らう」; 「抵抗」 covers resisting outside force, 「反発」 emotional pushback, 「反逆」 betraying a regime. 「楯突く」 is colloquial talking-back, 「歯向かう」 the weak turning on the strong, 「立ち向かう」 bravely facing a challenge, 「対抗」 rivalry with an equal or a power, 「戦う」 fighting in general. Several others are written-style or heavier; the opposites are 「服従」 and 「従順」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 年長者ねんちょうしゃや権威けんい、権力けんりょくに逆さからい従したがわないこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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