synonym Comparative
逆らう
VS
遡る
Differences Between "逆らう" and "遡る"
Option A
逆らう
Meaning
defy; disobey; go against; headwind; swim upstream
Reading
さからう (sakarau)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
川の激しい流れに_______て泳ぐことは、非常に危険であり体力を激しく消耗します。
Swimming against the fierce current of the river is extremely dangerous and severely consumes physical strength.
Option B
遡る
Meaning
to go back (in time, upstream, to the source)
Reading
さかのぼる (sakanoboru)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
歴史を遡ると、この町の起源は古代にまで行き着く。
Tracing back through history, the origin of this town goes back to ancient times.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(defy; disobey; go against; headwind; swim upstream)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 逆らう: Refers to defying or disobeying parents/teachers/superiors, going against the wind/current, or swimming upstream. Often used as 流れに逆らう (go against the current) or 命令に逆らう. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Defy? Disobey? Defying my orders is strictly prohibited! But... if you disobey my order to 'go home on time' and stay to chat with me, I might...っ, I might reward you!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『逆らう？！上司である私の命令に逆らうなんていい度胸ね！…あ、でも、『定時で帰りなさい』っていう命令に逆らって、私とお喋りするために残るっていうなら、許してあげるわ！』
- 遡る: Often used when tracing origins, history, or going against a current (literally or figuratively). Implies moving against the normal flow.
- 逆らう: Refers to defying or disobeying parents/teachers/superiors, going against the wind/current, or swimming upstream. Often used as 流れに逆らう (go against the current) or 命令に逆らう. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Defy? Disobey? Defying my orders is strictly prohibited! But... if you disobey my order to 'go home on time' and stay to chat with me, I might...っ, I might reward you!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『逆らう？！上司である私の命令に逆らうなんていい度胸ね！…あ、でも、『定時で帰りなさい』っていう命令に逆らって、私とお喋りするために残るっていうなら、許してあげるわ！』
- 遡る: Often used when tracing origins, history, or going against a current (literally or figuratively). Implies moving against the normal flow.
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