逆しま・倒|さかしまsakashima[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
逆しま逆しま（さかしま） is the more common of the two forms and is written with a mixture of kanji and kana.
倒倒 is less common than 逆しま（さかしま） but is the form recommended for beginners to use; it is written entirely in kanji.
Definitions
- noun, na-adjectivereverse; inversion; upside down
- noun, na-adjectiveunreasonable; absurd; wrong
Conjugation
| Plain form | 逆しま（さかしま） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 逆しまです（さかしまです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 逆しまではない（さかしまではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 逆しまではありません（さかしまではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 逆しまだった（さかしまだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 逆しまではなかった（さかしまではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 逆しまで（さかしまで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 逆しまに（さかしまに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 逆しまなら（さかしまなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym逆さまさかさまNeutralThe most common word for upside down or back to front; 「逆しま」 has a more written flavour and can also mean going against reason.
- Synonym逆ぎゃくNeutralCovers anything opposite or in the reverse direction and has the widest range of use; 「逆しま」 mainly means upside down or contrary to reason.
- SynonymあべこべCasualColloquial for something reversed or mixed up, as in 「あべこべに着る」; more casual than 「逆しま」.
- Related裏腹うらはらNeutralDescribes words or actions that contradict one's true feelings, as in 「言葉とは裏腹に」; stresses a mismatch between inside and outside.
For upside down or back to front, use 「逆さま」; for the opposite or reverse direction, use 「逆」. 「逆しま」 belongs more to written prose and can also mean contrary to reason. In casual speech, say 「あべこべ」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
