歯向かう・歯向う・刃向かう|はむかうhamukau[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
歯向かう歯向かう is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it as your default spelling.
歯向う歯向う is a less common variant of 歯向かう. Learners will generally encounter 歯向かう more often, so use 歯向かう instead.
刃向かう刃向かう is a less common variant of 歯向かう. Learners should normally choose 歯向かう rather than this form.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto strike back at; to bite back; to turn on; to rise against; to oppose; to defy
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 歯向かう（はむかう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 歯向かいます（はむかいます） |
| Negative (nai) | 歯向かわない（はむかわない） |
| polite (masen) | 歯向かいません（はむかいません） |
| classical zu / nu | 歯向かわず・歯向かわぬ（はむかわず・はむかわぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 歯向かった（はむかった） |
| polite (mashita) | 歯向かいました（はむかいました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 歯向かわなかった（はむかわなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 歯向かいませんでした（はむかいませんでした） |
| Te form | 歯向かって（はむかって） |
| Potential | 歯向かえる（はむかえる） |
| Passive | 歯向かわれる（はむかわれる） |
| Causative | 歯向かわせる（はむかわせる） |
| Causative passive | 歯向かわせられる・歯向かわされる（はむかわせられる・はむかわされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 歯向かえば（はむかえば） |
| tara | 歯向かったら（はむかったら） |
| Volitional | 歯向かおう（はむかおう） |
| polite (mashou) | 歯向かいましょう（はむかいましょう） |
| Imperative | 歯向かえ（はむかえ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym楯突くたてつくNeutralTalking back to a superior, as in 「上司に楯突く」; stresses disobedience and defiance. Very close to 「歯向かう」.
- Synonym反抗はんこうNeutralA noun for defiance, as in 「反抗期」; stresses disobedience toward elders or authority.
- Synonym抵抗ていこうNeutralBroader than 「歯向かう」: resistance of any kind, including a feeling of aversion, as in 「抵抗がある」.
- Synonym逆らうさからうNeutralThe most common everyday word for going against someone, as in 「親に逆らう」; unlike 「歯向かう」, the other side need not be stronger.
- Synonym立ち向かうたちむかうNeutralFacing an opponent or difficulty head-on, as in 「困難に立ち向かう」; stresses confronting directly, with no sense of defying a superior.
- Synonym対抗たいこうNeutralRivalry or competition with an opponent, as in 「対抗馬」 or 「強者に対抗する」; stresses mutual contest rather than rebellion.
- Synonym戦うたたかうNeutralThe broadest word for fighting or struggling, as in 「病気と戦う」; unlike 「歯向かう」, not limited to the weak defying the strong.
- Synonym背くそむくNeutralGoing against or betraying, as in 「約束に背く」 or 「命令に背く」; stresses turning away from rules or people.
- Synonym抗うあらがうWrittenRead あらがう. Written and elegant; resisting fate or some force, as in 「運命に抗う」.
- Synonym手向かうてむかうWrittenWritten and rare; resisting someone's power or orders, as in 「手向かう者」. 「歯向かう」 is the usual word for the weak defying the strong.
- Synonym抗するこうするWrittenWritten and more formal than 「歯向かう」; standing up against something, as in 「圧力に抗する」.
- Synonym抗拒こうきょWrittenWritten and uncommon; in daily speech say 「抵抗する」 instead.
- Related敵対てきたいNeutralBeing hostile to each other, as in 「敵対関係」; stresses two parties being enemies.
- Related抗戦こうせんWrittenWritten word for resisting by fighting, as in 「徹底抗戦」.
- Related挑むいどむNeutralActively challenging an opponent, or taking on a hard task or record, as in 「記録に挑む」; stresses taking the initiative.
- Related抗命こうめいWrittenWritten word for disobeying orders, as in 「抗命罪」; mainly military or legal.
- Antonym従うしたがうNeutralAntonym: obeying and following orders, the opposite of rising up in defiance.
- Antonym服従するWrittenAntonym: submitting to authority; more written in tone, the opposite of 「歯向かう」.
Use 「歯向かう」 when the weak rise up against the strong, as in 「親に歯向かう」. For everyday defiance pick 「逆らう」, for talking back to a superior 「楯突く」, for facing something head-on 「立ち向かう」. 「抗う」 is elegant written style for resisting fate or force; 「抵抗」 covers resistance broadly, including reluctance; 「戦う」 is the general word for fighting. 「反抗」 leans toward defying elders or authority, 「対抗」 toward contesting a rival, and 「敵対」 toward two sides being open enemies.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
