conversely; on the contrary (逆に) – Japanese Grammar 逆に (gyaku ni)

Q: What JLPT level is 逆に?

JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Q: How do you use 逆に in a sentence?

Attach 逆に to the appropriate verb or noun form. Conversely; on the contrary

Q: Is 逆に formal or casual Japanese?

逆に is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

逆に

N2 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

gyaku ni

conversely; on the contrary

得ない enai いわゆる iwayuru 以上に ijou ni お～願う o~negau 上は ue wa にあたって ni atatte せいか sei ka にしたら ni shitara に加えて ni kuwaete と考えられる to kangaerareru というものではない to iu mono dewa nai ものがある mono ga aru まだしも madashimo つつある tsutsu aru 及び oyobi それなのに sore na noni もっとも motto mo ては / では tewa / dewa より [2] yori のももっともだ no mo motto mo da 得ない enai いわゆる iwayuru 以上に ijou ni お～願う o~negau 上は ue wa にあたって ni atatte せいか sei ka にしたら ni shitara に加えて ni kuwaete と考えられる to kangaerareru というものではない to iu mono dewa nai ものがある mono ga aru まだしも madashimo つつある tsutsu aru 及び oyobi それなのに sore na noni もっとも motto mo ては / では tewa / dewa より [2] yori のももっともだ no mo motto mo da

🃏 Flashcard

逆に

gyaku ni

Tap to reveal usage

conversely; on the contrary

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N2

Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage

Reading gyaku ni

Post ID 51020

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

conversely; on the contrary

📖 How to use it

逆に marks a reversal or contrast, meaning 'conversely' or 'on the contrary'.

Attaches to 逆に is an adverb that attaches at the start of a clause or sentence. It does not conjugate and can be followed by a comma or directly by the clause.

逆に is used to present the opposite side of a statement or situation. It often appears when the speaker wants to say that the opposite of what was just mentioned is true, or to introduce a contrasting viewpoint. Unlike しかし (but), which simply connects contrasting facts, 逆に emphasizes a reversal of expectations or logic.

In conversation, 逆に can also express that something is the opposite of what one might assume. For example, if someone expects a task to be easy but it's hard, you could say 逆に難しかった. It's a natural way to flip the perspective. It is common in both spoken and written Japanese, but in formal writing, it might be replaced with 反対に, though 逆に is still acceptable in most contexts.

運動すると疲れるどころか、逆に元気になる。

Undō suru to tsukareru dokoro ka, gyaku ni genki ni naru.

Instead of getting tired from exercise, I actually feel more energized.

彼はいつも忙しいと言っているが、逆に暇なのかもしれない。

Kare wa itsumo isogashii to itte iru ga, gyaku ni hima na no kamoshirenai.

He always says he's busy, but maybe he's actually free.

この店は安いと思ったら、逆に高いものが多かった。

Kono mise wa yasui to omottara, gyaku ni takai mono ga ōkatta.

I thought this store was cheap, but on the contrary, it had many expensive items.

Not 反対に Both mean 'on the contrary', but 逆に often implies a reversal of expectation or logic, while 反対に is more neutral and simply means 'in opposition'. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 逆に is more common in casual speech.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

逆に

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 逆に three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 逆に. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N2 Patterns

← Previous

げ

looks like; seems like; appears to

反面

while, although; on the other hand

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 逆に mean? ▼

Conversely; on the contrary

What JLPT level is 逆に? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N2 — Upper-Intermediate · Academic & formal usage. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 逆に in a sentence? ▼

Attach 逆に (gyaku ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is 逆に formal or casual Japanese? ▼

逆に is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember 逆に long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.