反 means “against, anti-”

はん · han

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

そる, そらす, かえす, かえる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ハン, ホン, タン, ホ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 4 strokes

The story

A hand (又) pushing back against a cliff (厂): resistance, turning things around. 反対 is opposition, but 反 also turns inward: 反省, reflecting on your own mistakes, is so valued in Japan that teams hold a 反省会 after events.

Used in 反対 (hantai, opposition/opposite), 反省 (hansei, reflection on one's mistakes), and 違反 (ihan, violation)

More from Council & Debate

• 判 judgment
• 認 recognize
• 参 join
• 論 argument
• 投 throw
• 談 talk
• 可 possible
• 断 refuse
• 否 no
• 許 permit
• 賛 approve
• 議 debate

Learn 反 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.