手前(てまえ)

てまえ
noun
this side, before
1. this side, in front
The area or position closer to the speaker, as opposed to the back or far side.
手前(てまえ)にある。
It's on this side.
手前(てまえ)のドアから入(はい)ってください。
Please enter through the door on this side.
本棚(ほんだな)の手前(てまえ)に椅子(いす)があります。
There's a chair in front of the bookshelf.
2. just before (reaching)
A point shortly before arriving at a destination.
駅(えき)の手前(てまえ)で曲(ま)がる。
Turn just before the station.
目的地(もくてきち)の手前(てまえ)で車(くるま)を止(と)めた。
I stopped the car just before the destination.
交差点(こうさてん)の手前(てまえ)にコンビニがあるので、そこを右(みぎ)に曲(ま)がってください。
There's a convenience store just before the intersection, so turn right there.

手前(てまえ) is the opposite of 奥(おく) (back/interior). It indicates the side closer to the speaker. When giving directions, [place]の手前(てまえ) means 'just before [place].' The word can also be used as a humble form of 'I' in very formal situations, but this usage is quite old-fashioned.

general
Added 2026.1.7 21:27 · Revised 2026.2.21 23:01
01000/01001_temae