Translation guide
The English word "front" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common ones for learners: the forward-facing part of something, a military or weather front, a facade or pretense, and a few other uses.
The side or part that faces forward; the opposite of back.
General word for 'front' as a spatial location. Can be used for the front of a building, a person, a line, etc.
A car is parked in front of the house.
彼は私の前に立っていた。
He was standing in front of me.
The direct front, often used for buildings or formal settings. Emphasizes facing directly forward.
ホテルの正面に噴水があります。
There is a fountain in front of the hotel.
The near side or this side of something, often from the speaker's perspective. Can mean 'in front of' but closer than 前.
駅の手前にコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store just before the station.
The front surface or facade. More formal or technical, often used in written contexts.
建物の前面はガラス張りです。
The front of the building is glass-walled.
A line where opposing forces meet, or a boundary between air masses.
Used for both military and meteorological fronts. Common in news and weather reports.
寒冷前線が通過します。
A cold front will pass through.
彼は前線で戦った。
He fought on the front lines.
Specifically a battle front or war front. More military-focused than 前線.
An appearance or display intended to deceive; a cover for secret activities.
A pretense or outward appearance that hides the truth. Often used in phrases like 見せかけの～ (a fake/front of something).
彼の親切は見せかけに過ぎない。
His kindness is just a front.
その会社は見せかけの事業だった。
That company was a front operation.
The public face or ostensible reason; what is presented officially. Often contrasts with the real situation.
Literally 'straw raincoat to hide in'. Figuratively, a cover or front for illegal activities. More literary or idiomatic.
The cover or first pages of a publication.
The cover of a book or magazine. Can be used for front cover specifically.
雑誌の表紙に彼女の写真が載った。
Her photo was on the front of the magazine.
Literally 'the front part of the book'. Used to refer to the beginning pages.
答えは本の前の方に書いてあります。
The answer is written in the front of the book.
The quality of being direct or having the nerve to do something.
Nerve, audacity, impudence. Often negative, implying shamelessness.
彼はよくもそんな図々しさで頼めるね。
He has a lot of front to ask that.
Impudence, cheek. Similar to 図々しさ but slightly less harsh.
彼女の厚かましさには驚いた。
I was surprised at her front.
English uses 'in front of' for both location and presence. Japanese 前 can sound too direct or physical. For 'in the presence of' or 'before an audience', use 前で or other expressions.
大勢の前で話すのは緊張する。
Speaking in front of a crowd makes me nervous.
前 is the general 'front'. 手前 means 'this side of' or 'just before' from the speaker's viewpoint. Use 手前 when emphasizing proximity or a point just before a landmark.
銀行は郵便局の前です。
The bank is in front of the post office.
銀行は郵便局の手前です。
The bank is just before the post office (on the way).
西部戦線では異状なし。
All quiet on the Western Front.
表向きは旅行だが、本当は仕事だ。
Officially it's a trip, but actually it's for work.
その店は麻薬取引の隠れ蓑だった。
The shop was a front for drug deals.