“反而”在英语中常见的表达有 on the contrary、instead、rather、conversely 等,具体使用哪个词或短语取决于语境:
On the contrary: 强调与前文所述情况完全相反,语气较为正式、强烈,常用于书面语或较为正式的场合。
示例:I thought he would be angry, but on the contrary, he seemed very pleased.(我以为他会生气,然而恰恰相反,他看起来很高兴。)
Instead:侧重于表示一种替代或相反的行为、情况,强调用另一个事物来取代当前的事物,或出现与预期相反的情况。
示例:He didn't go to the party; instead, he stayed at home and watched TV.(他没有去参加聚会,而是待在家里看电视。)
Rather:有“相反地、更确切地说”的意思,常用于引出与前文略有不同或更强调某种情况的表述,语气相对较为随意。
示例:I thought he was a bit old-fashioned, but rather, he's quite progressive.(我原本以为他有点守旧,但恰恰相反,他相当开明。)
Conversely: 意为“相反地、反过来”,多用于学术、正式的写作或讨论中,强调两个事物之间的相反关系。
示例:High demand usually leads to higher prices; conversely, low demand may result in lower prices.(高需求通常会导致价格上升;相反,低需求可能会导致价格下降。)