相反

Conversely

Level 4Sounds Like soeng1 faan2

Use 相反 (soeng1 faan2) to introduce a statement that is the direct opposite of what was just said. It functions like 'on the contrary' or 'conversely' in English.

How It Works

1. Sentence Connector
In its most common role, 相反 (soeng1 faan2) acts as a transition between two clauses. It usually appears at the start of the second clause, often followed by a comma or the particle 呢 (ne1) to create a pause.
Pattern: [Statement A]. 相反，[Statement B (the opposite)].

2. Adjectival Use
It can also describe a state or modify a noun directly. For example, 啱啱相反 (ngaam1 ngaam1 soeng1 faan2) means 'exactly the opposite'. When modifying a noun, use the 嘅 (ge3) particle: 相反嘅方向 (soeng1 faan2 ge3 fong1 hoeng3) - 'the opposite direction'.

3. Register and Nuance
Contrary to some older textbooks, 相反 is very common in spoken Cantonese. It is neutral to slightly formal, making it useful for debates, clarifications, or explaining logical contrast or contradiction. A common spoken variant is 相反嚟講 (soeng1 faan2 lai4 gong2), which is used for presenting alternative viewpoints or saying 'conversely'. It requires a binary relationship; you wouldn't use it for simple differences (like 'I like red, but he likes blue'), but rather for true opposites (like 'He isn't lazy; on the contrary, he is very hardworking').

Examples (4)

  1. 佢唔係唔想去，相反，佢好想去。

    It's not that he doesn't want to go; on the contrary, he really wants to.

    Word by Word: He not is not want go, opposite, he very want go.

    Here, 相反 corrects the false assumption in the first clause by providing the polar opposite reality.

  2. 好多人以為呢度好危險，但事實啱啱相反。

    Many people think this place is dangerous, but the reality is exactly the opposite.

    Word by Word: Many people think here very dangerous, but reality exactly opposite.

    In this example, 相反 is used as a predicate (adjective) to describe the 'reality' (si6 sat6).

  3. 相反，如果你聽日先報名，就冇優惠架喇。

    Conversely, if you only sign up tomorrow, there won't be a discount.

    Word by Word: Conversely, if you tomorrow only-then sign-up, then not-have discount [particle].

    This shows 相反 as a logical connector introducing a different scenario with an opposite outcome.

  4. 我哋行緊相反嘅方向。

    We are walking in the opposite direction.

    Word by Word: We walk [ing] opposite [possessive] direction.

    This demonstrates the adjectival use of 相反 modifying the noun 'direction' (fong1 hoeng3).

Common Mistakes

  • Using 相反 in the middle of a clause like an English adverb.

    佢相反好鍾意食辣嘢。
    相反，佢好鍾意食辣嘢。

    In Cantonese, 相反 usually starts the clause. If you want the word to follow the subject (He instead likes...), you should use 反而 (faan2 ji4).

  • Using 相反 for simple differences that aren't opposites.

    我鍾意蘋果，相反佢鍾意橙。
    我鍾意蘋果，但係佢鍾意橙。

    Apples and oranges are different, but not 'opposites'. Use 但係 (daan6 hai6) for general contrast.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

相反Level 4Conversely

Learn This First

The pattern '相反' (conversely/on the contrary) is a logical connector used to introduce a clause that presents the opposite of a previous statement. To use it effectively, learners should already be comfortable with basic contrastive markers and the logical flow of multi-clause sentences.

Words in This Pattern

相反