Meaning
叛逆 describes the act of resisting or defying authority, established norms, or parental expectations. It commonly refers to teenage rebellion or political insurrection. As an adjective, it characterizes someone or something as defiant or nonconformist.
Usage
Most frequently used to describe adolescent rebellious behavior (叛逆期 - rebellious phase). Can describe both mild defiance and serious political revolt. Often carries a negative connotation when describing children, but can be neutral or even positive when discussing breaking free from oppressive systems or outdated traditions.
Examples
- 01她的孩子正处于叛逆期，什么话都不听。, .Her child is going through a rebellious phase and won't listen to anything.
- 02年轻时他很叛逆，总是跟父母对着干。, .When he was young he was very rebellious and always went against his parents.
Characters
Common collocations
- 叛逆期rebellious phase (esp. adolescence)
- 叛逆心理rebellious mentality
- 叛逆行为rebellious behavior
- 性格叛逆rebellious personality
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the concept of opposition: 叛 means to betray or turn against, while 逆 means to go contrary to or oppose. Together they emphasize deliberate resistance to authority or established order.