逆さに
sakasa ni
The English phrase "upside down" is translated into Japanese as 逆さに (sakasa ni), 逆さまに or 逆さ.
Meaning: inverted (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 逆さに | sakasa ni | |
| 逆さまに | sakasama ni | |
| 逆さ | sakasa | [sa̠ka̠sa̠] (narrow) |
These terms are used to describe something that is inverted.
Which one should you use?
While 逆さに and 逆さまに are often interchangeable, 逆さまに is slightly more common in standard Japanese and can feel a bit more emphatic or complete due to the addition of ま.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms ending in に, such as 逆さに and 逆さまに, function as adverbs to describe how an action is performed, such as hanging or holding something upside down. Adding だ to the noun form 逆さ creates a predicate meaning "it is upside down".
How do you pronounce it?
sakasa ni
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, the 逆さ富士 or 'Upside-down Fuji' refers to the stunning reflection of Mount Fuji in a lake, treating the reflection as a distinct visual entity.
- The component character 逆 is also used in the word 逆らう (sakarau), which means to disobey or to defy an authority.
- The word 逆さ can also be used to describe something that is 'the wrong way around' or 'the wrong way up', such as wearing a shirt with the collar in the back.
Examples in context
- 逆さまだよ。It's upside down.This sentence is useful for using the form 逆さ to say 'It's upside down.'Tatoeba #12296493 by small_snow, translation #7760442 by Hybrid
- 誰もその絵が逆さにかかっていることに気がつかなかった。Nobody noticed that the picture was hung upside down.This sentence is useful for using the form 逆さに to describe how a picture was hung.Tatoeba #136535 by bunbuku, translation #276586 by CK
- その絵が逆さまに掛けられていることに誰も気付かなかった。No one noticed that the picture was hung upside down.This sentence is useful for using the form 逆さまに to describe how a picture was hung.Tatoeba #1056348 by bunbuku, translation #8177994 by CK
- 彼の人生は逆転した。His life turned upside down.
- 昨日の地震で家が逆さまになった。The earthquake yesterday turned the house upside down.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are looking at a photo on a phone.
- 陽太 Yotaこの写真、逆さに持ってるよ。Kono shashin, sakasa ni motteru yo.You're holding this photo upside down.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当？E, hontou?What, really?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、逆さに持ってるから変だよ。Un, sakasa ni motteru kara hen da yo.Yeah, it looks weird because you're holding it upside down.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、本当だ！恥ずかしい。A, hontou da! Hazukashii.Oh, you're right! How embarrassing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “upside down” translations and entries 逆さ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
