逆鱗

• Reading: げきりん
• Romaji: gekirin
• Kanji breakdown: 逆 (gyaku/geki) — reverse, against; 鱗 (rin) — scale (of a dragon or fish)
• Pronunciation: /ɡe.ki.ɾi.ɴ/

Meaning

Fury; wrath; touching a sore spot. Specifically refers to incurring the fierce anger of a powerful person, derived from the myth of the dragon's reversed scale.

Used almost exclusively in the set phrase 逆鱗に触れる (to touch the dragon's reversed scale = to incur someone's wrath). According to legend, a dragon has one scale that grows in reverse; touching it provokes instant lethal fury. The expression thus means to unknowingly or unavoidably offend someone powerful. Often used in political, literary, and hierarchical contexts.

Examples

1. うかつな発言が上司の逆鱗に触れてしまった。 A careless remark ended up touching a nerve with my boss.
2. 王の逆鱗に触れた者は容赦なく処罰された。 Those who incurred the king's wrath were punished without mercy.
3. 父親の逆鱗に触れるようなことだけはしたくなかった。 The one thing I never wanted to do was provoke my father's fury.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, hierarchical relationships, literary writing

Tone: cautionary

Origin & History

From Chinese legend: 逆 (gyaku/geki) means 'reverse' and 鱗 (rin) means 'scale (of a fish or dragon).' The one reversed scale on a dragon's throat is its fatal weak point — touching it means instant death. The phrase entered Japanese from classical Chinese texts.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal