〜に反して／に反し

Meaning

This grammar pattern describes situations where the actual outcome is opposite to what was expected, predicted, or intended. It's commonly used with nouns like 'expectation' (期待), 'prediction' (予想), 'forecast' (予測), 'order' (命令), and 'intention' (意思). The pattern can modify nouns directly or describe results that contradict anticipations.

Formation

Examples

1. あの商品の広告は、会社の期待に反して、まったく効果がなかった。
   Contrary to the company's expectations, that product advertisement had no effect at all.

2. 予測に反する結果
   A result contrary to predictions

3. 意思に反して何かを無理にさせる事はできない。
   You cannot force someone to do something against their will.

4. 決勝戦では、予想に反して、簡単に相手に勝てました。
   In the finals, contrary to our expectations, we won against our opponent easily.

5. 医薬品の輸入が規制第15条の規定に反すると認定された場合は、該当の医薬品のわが国における流通を禁止しなければならない。
   When the import of pharmaceutical products is determined to violate Article 15 of the regulations, the distribution of the relevant pharmaceutical product in our country must be prohibited.

Summary

• Use 〜に反して to express outcomes opposite to expectations, predictions, or intentions
• Common collocations: 期待に反して (contrary to expectations), 予想に反して (contrary to predictions), 意思に反して (against one's will)
• Can function as an adverbial phrase or modify nouns as 〜に反する/〜に反した + noun to describe contradictions