Translation guide
The English preposition 'against' has many uses. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: expressing opposition, physical contact, comparison/contrast, protection, and more. Japanese often uses particles like に, を, と, or specific verbs instead of a single word.
Expressing being opposed to an idea, plan, person, or action.
The most direct way to say 'be against something'. 反対 (はんたい) means opposition. Use with に.
私はその計画に反対です。
I am against the plan.
彼は戦争に反対している。
He is against the war.
Means 'to go against' someone's wishes, orders, or natural flow. Often used for defying authority or resisting.
親に逆らってはいけない。
You must not go against your parents.
流れに逆らって泳ぐ。
Swim against the current.
Formal or literary term for being hostile or antagonistic against someone.
彼は政府に敵対する勢力を率いている。
He leads a force that is hostile against the government.
Touching or pressing on a surface.
To lean against something. 寄りかかる is the standard verb.
壁に寄りかからないでください。
Please don't lean against the wall.
Also means to lean against, often with a sense of resting heavily.
Showing how something is different from or compared to something else.
Means 'compared to/against'. Use when making a direct comparison.
去年と比べて、今年は暑い。
Compared against last year, this year is hot.
Guarding against something harmful.
To protect against/from. Note the particle から (from) is used, not 'against' directly.
日焼け止めは肌を紫外線から守る。
Sunscreen protects the skin against UV rays.
Trading one thing for another, often in financial contexts.
Means 'in exchange for' or 'against' when giving something to receive something else.
現金と引き換えに商品を渡す。
Hand over the goods against cash.
Doing something that violates a rule.
To be against the law/rules. 違反 (いはん) means violation.
それは法律に違反している。
That is against the law.
Similar to 違反, but broader: against principles, expectations, etc.
Facing an opponent in sports or games.
To play a match against someone. 対戦 (たいせん) means a match or bout.
明日、強いチームと対戦する。
Tomorrow we play against a strong team.
Doing something reluctantly or despite oneself.
Means 'in spite of' or 'against' when something happens contrary to expectations.
雨にもかかわらず、出かけた。
Against the rain, I went out.
English 'against' is often expressed by Japanese particles (に, を, と, から) or specific verbs. There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses. Always consider the meaning you want to convey.
に反対する is for stating opposition to ideas/plans. に逆らう is for defying a person, authority, or natural force. Use に反対 for debates, に逆らう for rebellion.
増税に反対する。
Oppose a tax increase.
He was sleeping leaning against the sofa.
To hit or strike against something, often accidentally.
ボールが窓に当たった。
The ball hit against the window.
Can mean 'against' in the sense of 'in contrast to' or 'toward'.
彼の意見に対して、彼女は反論した。
She argued against his opinion.
To prepare against something, like a disaster.
地震に備えて水を買っておく。
Buy water in preparation against earthquakes.
Can be used in contexts like 'against payment'.
料金に対してサービスを提供する。
Provide service against a fee.
規則に反する行為。
An act against the rules.
To fight against. Can be physical combat or metaphorical struggle.
彼は病気と戦っている。
He is fighting against illness.
Adverb meaning 'reluctantly' or 'against one's will'.
いやいやながら引き受けた。
I accepted it against my will.
上司に逆らう。
Go against the boss.
上司に逆らう。
Go against the boss.