反而 introduces an unexpected reversal: contrary to expectation, the opposite result occurs.
Expectation flip - marks contrast against predicted outcome
Discourse connector - links context to surprising consequence
Often evaluative - common in criticism, irony, and analysis
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Set up expectation clearly
- 反而 works best when prior context implies a likely result.
Do not use for neutral sequence
- It requires contrastive surprise.
Keep logical reversal explicit
- Reader should immediately see what was unexpected.
After taking medicine, the illness instead got worse.
He did not get angry; on the contrary, he laughed.
After resting for a day, I instead felt more tired.
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