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.
日本では建前と本音を使い分けるのが大人のマナーだと言われている。
In Japan, it's said that knowing when to use your public face versus your true feelings is a mark of maturity.
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.
建前では自由参加だが、実際には全員出席しなければならない。
In principle it's optional, but in reality everyone has to attend.
建前と実態が大きくかけ離れている。
The official position and the actual situation are far apart.
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)