表(おもて)

おもて

noun

front; surface; outside

1. front, surface

The outer or visible side of something.

紙(かみ)の表(おもて)に書(か)いてください。

Please write on the front side of the paper.

表(おもて)と裏(うら)を間違(まちが)えた。

I mixed up the front and back.

封筒(ふうとう)の表(おもて)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)いた。

I wrote the name on the front of the envelope.

2. outside, the open

The outdoors; the public space outside.

表(おもて)に出(で)ましょう。

Let's go outside.

子供(こども)たちが表(おもて)で遊(あそ)んでいる。

The children are playing outside.

表(おもて)は雨(あめ)が降(ふ)っている。

It's raining outside.

3. public appearance, facade

The outward appearance shown to others.

表(おもて)向(む)きは元気(げんき)そうだ。

On the surface, he seems fine.

表(おもて)の顔(かお)と裏(うら)の顔(かお)がある。

He has a public face and a private face.

この話(はなし)は表(おもて)に出(だ)せない。

This story can't be made public.

表(おもて) means 'front,' 'surface,' or 'outside,' contrasting with 裏(うら) (back).

Common expressions

表(おもて)と裏(うら): front and back, both sides
表(おもて)に出(で)る: to go outside; to become public
表(おもて)向(む)き: ostensible, on the surface
表(おもて)通(どお)り: main street

Figurative usage

表(おもて)の顔(かお): public face
表(おもて)に出(だ)す: to reveal, to make public

Note: Also read as ひょう in compounds like 表(ひょう) (table/chart) or 発表(はっぴょう) (announcement).

Related Words

Antonym: 裏(うら) (back, reverse side)

Related: 裏紙(うらがみ) (scratch paper)

Compare: 正面(しょうめん) (front, facade, directly ahead)

general

Added 2026.1.8 21:40 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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