表裏(おもてうら)

おもてうら
noun
front and back; two sides; duality
abstract
1. front and back; both sides
The two physical surfaces of something, such as fabric or paper.
この布(ぬの)は表裏(おもてうら)の区別(くべつ)がつきにくい。
It's hard to tell the front from the back of this fabric.
紙(かみ)の表裏(おもてうら)を間違(まちが)えて印刷(いんさつ)してしまった。
I printed on the wrong side of the paper.
このコインの表裏(おもてうら)には違(ちが)うデザインが施(ほどこ)されている。
Different designs are applied to the front and back of this coin.
2. two-facedness; duality; discrepancy between appearance and reality
The contrast between one's public persona and true nature, or between what is shown and what is hidden.
彼(かれ)には表裏(おもてうら)がある。
He has a two-faced personality.
彼女(かのじょ)は表裏(おもてうら)のない性格(せいかく)だ。
She has a straightforward personality (no hidden sides).
政治(せいじ)の世界(せかい)では表裏(おもてうら)一体(いったい)の関係(かんけい)がよくある。
In the world of politics, there are often two sides of the same coin.

Forms

Alternate reading

  • ひょうり - more formal, used in written contexts

Common expressions

  • 表裏(おもてうら)がない (straightforward, what you see is what you get)
  • 表裏(おもてうら)がある (two-faced, hypocritical)
  • 表裏(おもてうら)一体(いったい) (two sides of the same coin)

Similar compound words

Related Words

Related: 二面性(にめんせい) (dual nature)
general
Added 2026.1.18 10:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
06500/06611_omoteura