裏表(うらおもて)

うらおもて
noun
two-faced; front and back; duplicity
personality
1. front and back; both sides
The literal front and back sides of something, such as fabric or paper.
この布(ぬの)は裏表(うらおもて)がある。
This fabric has a front and back side.
Tシャツの裏表(うらおもて)を間違(まちが)えた。
I mixed up the front and back of the T-shirt.
紙(かみ)の裏表(うらおもて)を確認(かくにん)してから印刷(いんさつ)した。
I checked the front and back of the paper before printing.
2. two-faced; duplicity; inconsistency
Having different attitudes or behaviors depending on the situation, especially being kind to someone's face but speaking ill behind their back.
彼(かれ)は裏表(うらおもて)がない人(ひと)だ。
He's a person without duplicity (what you see is what you get).
裏表(うらおもて)のない性格(せいかく)が好(す)きだ。
I like personalities without duplicity.
裏表(うらおもて)が激(はげ)しい人(ひと)だと聞(き)いた。
I heard they're very two-faced.
裏表(うらおもて)を使(つか)い分(わ)ける。
To switch between two faces/act differently in different situations.
あの政治家(せいじか)は裏表(うらおもて)がある。
That politician is two-faced.

Etymology

裏(うら) (back, hidden side) + 表(おもて) (front, visible side) - the back and front.

Usage

  • Sense 1: Physical front/back of objects
  • Sense 2: Often used with ない to praise someone's honesty

Common collocations

Related words

Related Words

Related: 本音(ほんね) (true feelings)
Related: 建前(たてまえ) (public stance)
Related: 八方美人(はっぽうびじん) (people-pleaser)
Related: 腹黒(はらぐろ)い (scheming)
general
Added 2026.1.21 9:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07500/07738_uraomote