裏面(りめん)

りめん
noun
back side; reverse side; hidden aspect
1. back side; reverse side; back surface
The back or reverse surface of a physical object such as paper, a card, fabric, or a sign.
裏面(りめん)に名前(なまえ)を書(か)いてください。
Please write your name on the back.
カードの裏面(りめん)に注意事項(ちゅういじこう)が印刷(いんさつ)されている。
Precautions are printed on the back of the card.
封筒(ふうとう)の裏面(りめん)に差出人(さしだしにん)の住所(じゅうしょ)を書(か)くのがマナーだ。
It's good manners to write the sender's address on the back of the envelope.
2. hidden side; behind the scenes; hidden aspect
The unseen or concealed aspect of a situation, person, or event. The side that is not publicly known.
事件(じけん)の裏面(りめん)を探(さぐ)る。
To investigate the hidden side of the incident.
華(はな)やかな成功(せいこう)の裏面(りめん)には多(おお)くの苦労(くろう)がある。
Behind the glamorous success, there is a lot of hardship.
政治(せいじ)の裏面(りめん)を描(えが)いたドキュメンタリーが話題(わだい)になっている。
A documentary depicting the behind-the-scenes of politics has become a talking point.

USAGE:
Sense 1 (physical back side) is the more common everyday usage. Sense 2 (hidden aspect) is used in more formal or literary contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 裏面(りめん)に記載(きさい) (written on the reverse side)
  • 裏面(りめん)を確認(かくにん)する (to check the back side)
  • 事件(じけん)の裏面(りめん) (the hidden side of an incident)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 裏(うら): back; reverse — more colloquial and versatile
  • 背面(はいめん): back side; rear — more technical, often used for the back of electronic devices or buildings
  • 表面(ひょうめん): surface; front side — the opposite of 裏面(りめん)

Related Words

Antonym: 表面(ひょうめん) (surface)
general
Added 2026.3.20 22:46 · Revised 2026.4.11 10:25
18000/18245_rimen