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反过来说 (fǎn guò lái shuō) — (conjunction) on the other hand, conversely, from the opposite perspective

Definition

A conjunctive adverb meaning 'conversely / on the other hand', used to flip to the opposing side of an argument already made. Pairs naturally after a comma or semicolon to introduce the contrasting point.

conjunction
on the other handconverselyfrom the opposite perspective

Examples

  • ，反过来说，。
    Zhè yàng zuò hǎo chù hěn duō, dàn fǎn guò lái shuō, yě yǒu bù shǎo fēng xiǎn.
    This approach has many benefits, but on the other hand, there are also quite a few risks.
  • ，反过来说，。
    Duǎn qī lái kàn chéng běn hěn gāo, fǎn guò lái shuō, cháng qī shōu yì huì gèng dà.
    In the short term the cost is high; conversely, the long-term returns will be greater.
  • ，反过来说，。
    Yǒu rén zhī chí zhè ge jì huà, fǎn guò lái shuō, fǎn duì de shēng yīn yě bù shǎo.
    Some people support this plan; on the other hand, there are also many voices against it.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 過; 过 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
咼
咼wāi過guò
Same sound today

The traditional form 過 pairs 辵 (walk) with 咼 as a sound component; the simplified 过 is a shorthand, and its parts are not the historical components.

Open 过 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 說; 说 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
兌
兌duì說shuō
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 說 pairs 言 (meaning) with 兌 (sound); the simplified 说 is not the form described here.

Open 说 →
Appears in
Cause, Effect & Logic

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