相反 xiāngfǎn

相反（xiāngfǎn）means “相反: 'on the contrary', introduces an opposite situation”. 相反 (xiāngfǎn) means 'on the contrary'. Formation: …，相反，…（承接上文，引出对立情况）

相反: 'on the contrary', introduces an opposite situation

HSK5

Formation

…，相反，…（承接上文，引出对立情况）

Explanation

相反 (xiāngfǎn) means 'on the contrary'. It stands at the head of a clause, often as '相反，…', to negate an expectation and introduce the opposite. It can also be a verb/adjective meaning 'to be opposite'.

Examples

我以为他会生气，相反，他笑了。
wǒ yǐwéi tā huì shēngqì, xiāngfǎn, tā xiào le.
I thought he'd be angry; on the contrary, he laughed.
这次考试不难，相反还挺简单。
zhè cì kǎoshì bù nán, xiāngfǎn hái tǐng jiǎndān.
This exam wasn't hard; on the contrary, it was quite easy.

Note

Often 与…相反 'opposite to…'. A comma follows 相反.

FAQ

相反 — what does it mean and how is it used?

相反: 'on the contrary', introduces an opposite situation. 相反 (xiāngfǎn) means 'on the contrary'. It stands at the head of a clause, often as '相反，…', to negate an expectation and introduce the opposite. It can also be a verb/adjective meaning 'to be opposite'.

相反 — how do you form it?

…，相反，…（承接上文，引出对立情况）

相反 — any usage notes?

Often 与…相反 'opposite to…'. A comma follows 相反.

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