男前(おとこまえ)

おとこまえ
na-adjective, noun
handsome, good-looking man; cool, admirable
informalpersondescriptive
1. handsome man, good-looking man
A man with attractive features. As a noun, refers to a handsome man; as a na-adjective, describes someone as handsome.
彼(かれ)はなかなかの男前(おとこまえ)だ。
He's quite handsome.
お父(とう)さんは若(わか)い頃(ころ)、男前(おとこまえ)だったらしい。
Apparently, Dad was handsome when he was young.
男前(おとこまえ)な俳優(はいゆう)がCMに出(で)ると、その商品(しょうひん)の売(う)り上(あ)げが伸(の)びるそうだ。
Apparently, when a handsome actor appears in a commercial, sales of that product increase.
2. cool, admirable, gallant
Used more broadly (including for women) to describe someone whose behavior is impressively decisive, bold, or admirable. A relatively recent colloquial extension.
彼女(かのじょ)のさっぱりした性格(せいかく)は男前(おとこまえ)だと言(い)われる。
Her straightforward personality is often described as cool.
「ここは私(わたし)がおごるよ」と言(い)った彼女(かのじょ)に、みんなが「男前(おとこまえ)！」と叫(さけ)んだ。
When she said 'This one's on me,' everyone yelled 'What a boss!'
迷(まよ)わず決断(けつだん)できるところが男前(おとこまえ)だなと思(おも)った。
I thought it was really cool how she could make decisions without hesitation.

Usage

Sense 1 is the traditional meaning, referring to a man's attractive appearance. Originally from the Kansai dialect but now used nationwide. Sense 2 is a newer colloquial usage where 男前(おとこまえ) describes someone (regardless of gender) who acts in an admirably bold or decisive way.

Common collocations

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: イケメン (good-looking guy)
Compare: ハンサム (handsome)
Compare: 格好(かっこう)いい (cool, good-looking)
Compare: 美男(びなん) (handsome man)
general
Added 2026.2.25 23:31 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
13500/13569_otokomae