Translation and Meaning of: 逆様 - sakasama

Explanation and Etymology - (逆様) sakasama

逆様 (Sakasama) is a Japanese word that can be translated as "invert", "upside down" or "the opposite". The word is made up of two kanjis: 逆 (saka) means "contrary" or "reverse" while 様 (sama) is a honorary suffix that can be translated as "Lord" or "lady". The etymology of the word dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), when the word was written as 逆さま (Sakasama). The word is believed to have been created from the combination of the Kanjis 逆 and 様, which were chosen by their visual resemblance to the image of something inverted. The word was originally used to describe objects or things that were upside down, but over time it was also used to describe situations or behaviors that go against social norms or expectations. Nowadays, the word is commonly used in idioms such as 逆さまにする (Sakasama ni Suru), which means "turning upside down" or "inverter", and 逆に (Gyaku ni), which means "on the contrary "or" inversely ". The word is also used in more informal contexts, as in phrases such as 逆言えばば (Gyaku ni Ieba), which can be translated as "on the other hand" or "otherwise said".