1.
public stance; facade; outward appearance
What one expresses publicly to maintain social harmony, regardless of one's true feelings.
それは建前で、本当は違う。
That's just the public stance; the truth is different.
建前では賛成だと言っている。
In public, they say they agree.
2.
principle; policy; official position
The stated rule or policy that should be followed in principle.
会社の建前としては残業は禁止だ。
The company's official policy is that overtime is prohibited.
CULTURAL CONCEPT:
建前 is the public face one presents to maintain social harmony (和). It is not considered dishonest in Japanese culture but rather a social skill for smooth relationships.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 建前を言う (to state the public position)
- 建前と本音 (public stance and true feelings)
- 建前では～ (officially, in principle...)
- 建前を使い分ける (to use appropriate facades for different situations)
ORIGINAL MEANING:
建前 originally referred to the framework of a building (建てる + 前), symbolizing the outward structure.
Related Words
Antonym:
本音 (true feelings)