1.
front and back; both sides
The two physical surfaces of something — the front side and the reverse side.
このコインの表裏を見てください。
Look at both sides of this coin.
紙の表裏に印刷する。
Print on both sides of the paper.
用紙の表裏を間違えないように注意してください。
Please be careful not to mix up the front and back of the paper.
2.
two sides (of a matter); duality
The idea that something has two contrasting aspects. Used to describe situations where opposing qualities coexist.
成功と失敗は表裏一体だ。
Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.
便利さと危険は表裏の関係にある。
Convenience and danger are two sides of the same issue.
自由には責任が表裏一体で伴う。
Freedom is inseparably accompanied by responsibility.
3.
duplicity; two-facedness
Having a hidden side that contradicts one's outward appearance. Used to describe inconsistency between words and actions, or public and private behavior.
彼は表裏のある人だ。
He's a two-faced person.
表裏のない性格が好かれている。
People like her straightforward personality (lit. personality without duplicity).
政治家の表裏のある態度に国民は失望している。
The public is disillusioned with the politician's two-faced attitude.
Read as ひょうり in this compound form. The same kanji can be read as おもてうら in the native Japanese reading.
The key compound 表裏一体 ('two sides forming one body') is an important four-character idiom meaning that two contrasting things are inseparably connected.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 表裏一体 (two sides of the same coin)
- 表裏のある人 (a two-faced person)
- 表裏のない人 (a straightforward person)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 表裏の関係 (a relationship of two sides)
- 表裏を使い分ける (to use different faces in different situations)