反

fǎn

Reverse, opposite; to overturn, return, or rebel.

Meaning

Physical & Directional: Flipping or overturning an object; returning to a point of origin; reverting to a previous state or condition.
Political & Moral: Turning against authority; rebellion, treason, or betrayal.
Logical & Abstract: The opposite, contrary, or inverse; in philosophical contexts, an inversion or counter-position.

Grammar and usage

Verb: To overturn, rebel, return, or revert.
Adjective/Adverb: Contrary, inverse, opposite, upside-down.
Discourse Pivot: Used to shift the direction of an argument (e.g., 反之), functioning as "on the contrary" or "conversely."

Distinctions

Frequently functions as the antonym to 正 (upright, correct, normal).

History and forms

Early texts: Often interchangeable with 返 (return) and 叛 (rebel).
Tang-period reading: *biæ̌n.

Translator notes

In early texts, there is significant overlap between "return" (benign movement) and "revolt" (violent political turn). The glyph does not distinguish motive—only the fact of reversal. Context regarding power dynamics or travel will dictate the translation.

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.