Definition
反过来 is a resultative verb compound (反 + 过来) meaning 'to turn something over' literally, or 'to reverse the direction/order'. It also functions as a conjunctive adverb meaning 'conversely, on the contrary' — used to introduce a contrasting point or an opposite result. In this second sense it often appears at the start of a clause, separated by a comma from the rest of the sentence.
r.v.
to turn overto reverse (direction or order)converselyon the contrary
Examples
- 反过来。Qǐng bǎ zhè zhāng zhǐ fǎn guo lái xiě.Please turn this paper over and write on the other side.
- ，反过来，。Tā yǐwéi wǒ huì shēngqì, fǎn guo lái, wǒ hěn gāoxìng.He thought I would be angry; on the contrary, I was very happy.
- 反过来。Wǒmen yīngdāng cóng zhèngmiàn hé fǎn guo lái liǎng gè jiǎodù fēnxī zhège wèntí.We should analyze this problem from both the positive and the opposite perspectives.
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