逆さ・倒さ|さかさsakasa[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
逆さ逆さ is the more common written form, combining kanji and kana; it is the form learners are most likely to encounter.
倒さ倒さ is a less common variant, also combining kanji and kana; learners may encounter it, but 逆さ is the safer choice.
Definitions
- no-adjective, na-adjectiveinverted; upside down; reversed; back to front
Conjugation
| Plain form | 逆さ（さかさ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 逆さです（さかさです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 逆さではない（さかさではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 逆さではありません（さかさではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 逆さだった（さかさだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 逆さではなかった（さかさではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 逆さで（さかさで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 逆さに（さかさに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 逆さなら（さかさなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym逆ぎゃくNeutralCovers anything opposite — direction, order, position, stance — as in 「逆の方向」「逆の立場」. 「逆さ」 is narrower: things turned upside down or back to front.
- Synonym逆さまさかさまNeutralSame meaning as 「逆さ」 and the two are basically interchangeable, as in 「逆さまに落ちる」; both are in common use.
- SynonymあべこべCasualColloquial: something is the wrong way round when it should be right, as in 「靴が左右あべこべ」. 「逆さ」 stresses upside-down orientation.
- SynonymリバースNeutralA loanword for reversing a car or rewinding a tape; in casual speech it can also mean vomiting. 「逆さ」 describes an upside-down orientation.
- Related相反そうはんWrittenWritten/formal prose for mutual opposition — clashing interests or opinions. 「逆さ」 is about physical position being inverted.
For things upside down or back to front, use 「逆さ」 or 「逆さま」. Use 「逆」 for opposite directions or stances, 「あべこべ」 when the whole order or arrangement is switched, 「相反」 for clashing interests, and 「リバース」 for reversing a car or rewinding.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- さかさま。
Kanji in this word
See also
