ngược chiều
Definition
Adjective:
- Opposite direction: Describes movement, flow, or orientation that is contrary to the main, designated, or expected direction. Often used for traffic, currents, or opposing paths.
- Against the grain / contrary: Describes an action or thought that goes against the prevailing trend, common practice, or logical order.
Adverb:
- In the opposite direction: Indicates the manner of moving or facing contrary to another reference point or stream.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Xe máy đi vào đường một chiều ngược chiều. (The motorbike entered the one-way street in the opposite direction.)
- Đó là một ý kiến ngược chiều với số đông. (That is an opinion contrary to the majority.)
- Adverb:
- Dòng sông chảy ngược chiều với hướng gió. (The river flows in the opposite direction to the wind.)
Advanced Usage
- "ngược chiều kim đồng hồ": counterclockwise.
- Vặn nắp ngược chiều kim đồng hồ để mở. (Turn the lid counterclockwise to open.)
- Used in formal or technical contexts to describe vectors, forces, or data trends moving in opposing directions.
Variants and Related Words
- Chiều ngược lại (n): the opposite direction.
- Hãy đi chiều ngược lại. (Please go in the opposite direction.)
- Ngược dòng (v): to go upstream; to go against the current (literal and figurative).
- Cá hồi bơi ngược dòng để đẻ trứng. (Salmon swim upstream to spawn.)
Synonyms
- Opposite: directly contrary or opposed.
- Contrary: opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
- Against the flow: moving opposite to the prevailing current or trend.
Related Idioms
- Ngược chiều gió: literally "against the wind"; meaning to face difficulties or opposition.
- Khởi nghiệp lúc này giống như đi ngược chiều gió. (Starting a business now is like going against the wind.)