{{Grammar Box}}
The differences between 反而 (fǎn'ér) and 相反 (xiāngfǎn) are pretty clear. 反而 is an [[adverb]], while 相反 is an [[adjective]] and also a [[conjunction]], and this determines how they are used grammatically.
== Position in a Sentence ==
=== Structure ===
相反 normally starts a sentence, and when used should be followed with a comma. As an adverb, 反而 is not so set apart from the rest of the sentence, and should not be followed by a comma.
A，相反，B
A，反而 B
=== Examples ===
* 这样 做 帮 不了 他 ，相反，还 会 害 了 他。.
* 这样 做 不但 帮 不了 他，反而 会 害 了 他。.
== Differences in Meaning ==
反而 is used in the context of the speaker expecting some kind of turning point. 相反 is for similar things that have a different aspect. 反而 conveys that the difference between what was expected and what actually happened was quite large. 相反 isn't as strong.
=== Structure ===
Situation，相反，The Opposite of the Situation
Expectation，反而 + The Opposite of Expectation
=== Examples ===
* 好好 工作 就 会 升职，相反，不 好好 工作 是 不 会 升职 的。.
* 老板 没有 生气，反而 表扬 了 我。.
* 老板 没有 生气，相反，他 还 表扬 了 我。.
== 相反 can act as an attribute ==
相反 is an adjective, and of course it can also be an attribute. Just make sure to add a 的 after it. 反而 cannot be used this way.
=== Structure ===
相反 + 的 + Noun
=== Examples ===
* 这 是 两 个 完全 相反 的 结果。These are two completely opposite results.
* 你 应该 朝 相反的 方向 走。You should go down a different path.
== 相反 can be the predicate ==
相反, like all other adjectives, can be placed after the subject as the predicate of the sentence.
=== Structure ===
Subj. + 相反
A 和 / 跟 B ＋ 是 ＋ 相反的
=== Examples ===
* 这 两 种 艺术 的 表现 形式 相反。These two art pieces have completely different forms.
* 我们 的 看法 是 相反 的。Our perspectives are not the same.
* 老板 的 想法 跟 我 的 相反。The boss's way of thinking and mine don't match up.
* 现在 的 观念 和 以前 的 相反。The views of today are different from what they were in the past.
== See Also ==
== Sources and further reading ==
=== Books ===
*[[对外汉语教学语法释疑201例]] (相反 vs 反而 p.184) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]\r\n*[[现代汉语八百词（增订本）]] (反而p.199 相反p.574) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]\r\n*[[现代汉语虚词例释]] (反而p.172 相反p.504)[http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B004323J90/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]\r\n*[[卓越汉语－公司实战篇]] (pp. 19-20) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD-%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87-%E8%83%A1%E7%81%B5%E5%9D%87/dp/B003QZWQ6M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347863170&sr=8-1 →buy]
=== Dictionaries ===
* [[现代汉语词典（第5版）]] (相反p.1484 反而p.377) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|反而|B2|反而 vs 相反|吃 水果 不但 对 他 没 好处，反而 有 坏处。 老板 的 想法 跟 我 的 相反。|grammar point|ASGFNS52}}
{{Rel char|相反}}
{{Used for|Expressing attitude}}
{{Comparison|Separate Functions}}