The Meaning of sakasama [逆様] In Japanese

逆様
さかさま
Romaji: sakasama

What does 逆様 mean?

Translation and Meaning

upside-down, inverted, reversed

Definition

逆様 means inverted or upside down; it describes something oriented in the opposite direction, or a situation where things are arranged in the reverse order.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • upside-down or inverted in physical orientation
  • reversed in order or sequence
  • figuratively, contrary or not in proper form
  • technical or diagrammatic use to indicate reflection or inversion in mathematics or science

Etymology

ぎゃく よう combines 逆 meaning reverse and 様 meaning form or appearance; the compound expresses a form that is reversed in orientation.

Composition

  • 逆: reverse, opposite; indicates turning back or counter direction
  • 様: form, appearance; in compounds, commonly read as よう and denotes state or manner

Usage

Used mainly in written Japanese, especially descriptive, technical, or literary contexts; as a noun, it denotes orientation or state and is less common in casual conversation. It can describe something physically inverted or a situation processed in the reverse order, and may appear in formal explanations or analyses.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: visualize a sign or figure turned around to face the opposite direction (逆) while the character 様 stands for its form or state, helping you remember that 逆様 describes a reversed form.

Variations

  • 逆さま (さかさま, sakasama) — upside-down
  • 反転した (はんてんした, hanten shita) — inverted or reversed in technical contexts

Example Phrases

  • テーブルの上でコップが逆様に倒れている。
    Teeburu no ue de koppu ga sakasa ni taorete iru.
    The cup is upside down on the table.
    Lista:
    • テーブル (teeburu) – table
    • の (no) – of
    • 上で (ue de) – on top of
    • コップ (koppu) – cup
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 逆様 (sakasa) – upside-down
    • に (ni) – directional/adverbial particle
    • 倒れている (taorete iru) – is fallen
    “「逆様」” means upside down; in this sentence it is used with に to form 逆様に, describing how the cup 倒れている.
逆様