あべこべ

• 読み: あべこべ
• ローマ字: abekobe
• 発音: /a.be.ko.be/

意味

Contrary; opposite; reverse; back-to-front. When things are the wrong way round.

A colloquial word that can function as a na-adjective (あべこべな), no-adjective (あべこべの), or noun. Describes situations where order, direction, or logic is reversed or inverted. Often used humorously or in mild complaint. Similar to 逆 (gyaku) but more casual and implies a comical mix-up rather than a deliberate reversal.

例文

1. 靴を左右あべこべに履いていた。
2. 彼の説明は順序があべこべで分かりにくい。
3. 親と子の立場があべこべになっている家庭もある。

使い方ガイド

場面: daily life, humour, complaints

トーン: humorous

起源と歴史

Thought to derive from a phonetic distortion of an older expression for 'upside-down' or 'reversed.' The exact etymology is debated, but it has been in use since the Edo period.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal