逆らう

• Reading: さからう
• Romaji: sakarau
• Kanji breakdown: 逆 (gyaku/saka) — reverse, contrary, opposite
• Pronunciation: /sa.ka.ɾa.ɯ/

Meaning

To go against; to oppose; to disobey; to defy. The act of resisting authority, nature, or convention.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the う row. Takes the particle に (～に逆らう, to go against something/someone). Used for opposing authority (親に逆らう, to defy parents), resisting nature (流れに逆らう, to go against the current), or contradicting convention. Carries a stronger nuance than 反対する (to oppose), implying active resistance.

Examples

1. 十代の頃はよく親に逆らっていた。 When I was a teenager, I used to defy my parents a lot.
2. 川の流れに逆らって泳ぐのは大変だ。 It's tough to swim against the current of a river.
3. 上司の指示に逆らうのは勇気がいる。 It takes courage to go against your boss's orders.

Usage Guide

Context: family, authority, nature

Tone: defiant

Origin & History

From 逆 (gyaku/saka, reverse/contrary) combined with the verb ending ～らう. The kanji 逆 shows a person walking against the normal direction — going the opposite way.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal