反之亦然 (fǎn zhī yì rán) — vice versa; the reverse is also true

Definition

A formal written idiom meaning 'and vice versa / the reverse is also true', used to state that the opposite case holds equally. Common in essays, arguments, and translations rather than casual speech.

idiom

vice versathe reverse is also true

Examples

，反之亦然。
Xué xí xū yào nǔ lì, fǎn zhī yì rán.
Studying requires effort, and vice versa.
，反之亦然。
Jīng jì fā zhǎn yǔ huán jìng bǎo hù bìng bù máo dùn, fǎn zhī yì rán.
Economic development and environmental protection are not contradictory, and vice versa.
，反之亦然。
Fù mǔ yīng gāi zūn zhòng hái zi, fǎn zhī yì rán.
Parents should respect their children, and vice versa.

Origin

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

又又yòuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

厂

厂chǎng反fǎn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

反 uses 又 (hand) for meaning and 厂 for sound. Its original shape showed a hand turning its palm over, giving the sense of return or reverse.

Open 反 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

止止zhǐfoot
一一yīthe beginning place

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

亦 originally drew a person with marks at the armpits. It was later borrowed for its sound to write 亦 'also', so the picture is unrelated to that meaning.

Open 亦 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

火火huǒfire

Sound part声符shēngfú

肰

肰rán然rán

Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →

Appears in

Cause, Effect & Logic Idioms & Set Phrases