表裏(ひょうり)

ひょうり
noun
front and back; two sides; duplicity
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(ひょうり)を見(み)てください。
Look at both sides of this coin.
紙(かみ)の表裏(ひょうり)に印刷(いんさつ)する。
Print on both sides of the paper.
用紙(ようし)の表裏(ひょうり)を間違(まちが)えないように注意(ちゅうい)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(せいこう)と失敗(しっぱい)は表裏一体(ひょうりいったい)だ。
Success and failure are two sides of the same coin.
便利(べんり)さと危険(きけん)は表裏(ひょうり)の関係(かんけい)にある。
Convenience and danger are two sides of the same issue.
自由(じゆう)には責任(せきにん)が表裏一体(ひょうりいったい)で伴(ともな)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(かれ)は表裏(ひょうり)のある人(ひと)だ。
He's a two-faced person.
表裏(ひょうり)のない性格(せいかく)が好(す)かれている。
People like her straightforward personality (lit. personality without duplicity).
政治家(せいじか)の表裏(ひょうり)のある態度(たいど)に国民(こくみん)は失望(しつぼう)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(ひょうりいったい) ('two sides forming one body') is an important four-character idiom meaning that two contrasting things are inseparably connected.

Common expressions

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.3.4 17:06 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
14500/14978_hyouri