1.
public stage; the spotlight; front stage of public life
The visible, public arena where important events take place or where a person is in the public eye. Often used figuratively for someone's public career or prominence.
表舞台に立つ。
To stand on the public stage.
長年裏方だった彼が、ついに表舞台に出た。
After years behind the scenes, he finally stepped into the spotlight.
引退した政治家が再び表舞台に戻ってくるとは誰も予想しなかった。
No one expected the retired politician to return to the public stage.
Composed of 表 (front, surface, public) + 舞台 (stage). The metaphor of a stage is central — the 表舞台 is where things are visible to the public, in contrast to the behind-the-scenes world.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 表舞台に立つ (stand on the public stage)
- 表舞台に出る (step into the spotlight)
- 表舞台から姿を消す (disappear from the public eye)
- 表舞台に戻る (return to the spotlight)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 裏方 — behind the scenes (the opposite: those who work out of public view)
- 舞台 — stage (literal or figurative, without the specific "public" nuance)
- 檜舞台 — grand stage (the most prestigious stage, implies a big moment)