Meaning and Usage
"反発" (はんぱつ) primarily means to resist, oppose, or repel. It is used both in physical contexts, such as magnets repelling each other, and in social or psychological contexts, like opposing ideas or rules.
Common Contexts
- Physical repulsion: often used in scientific or everyday descriptions involving forces.
- Psychological or social opposition: expressing disagreement or resistance to opinions, rules, or actions.
Collocations and Patterns
- 反発する: to oppose or resist actively.
- 反発を感じる: to feel resistance or opposition.
- 強く反発する: to strongly oppose.
Register and Nuance
"反発" is a formal noun often used in written and spoken Japanese at a neutral to formal level. It conveys a clear sense of opposition or resistance without being overly emotional or aggressive.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "反発" with "反応" (reaction). While "反応" is a neutral response, "反発" implies active opposition or repulsion. Use "反発" when you want to emphasize resistance or rejection.