Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Upside" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "upside", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
さかさま
さかさま (sakasama)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
あべこべ
あべこべ (abekobe)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "upside" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between さかさま and あべこべ.
In Japanese, さかさま (さかさま (sakasama)) is typically associated with "upside down, inverted" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Describes something being in an inverted or reversed position.
On the other hand, あべこべ (あべこべ (abekobe)) maps to "upside down, inside out, converse, contrary, backwards" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Describes a state where things are reversed, opposite, or in the wrong order. Can be used for physical objects. A literal translation of "upside" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "さかさま"
この絵、さかさまになっているよ。
This picture is upside down.
Bilingual Context for "あべこべ"
服をあべこべに着ているよ。
You're wearing your clothes inside out.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この絵、 ＿＿＿ になっているよ。" (Meaning: "This picture is upside down.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "さかさま" fits here because it means "upside down, inverted" in the context of: "This picture is upside down.". "あべこべ" represents "upside down, inside out, converse, contrary, backwards".