Translation guide
Describes the two opposite sides of an object, such as a piece of paper, a building, or a coin. Japanese uses different words depending on the object and context.
The learner wants to say 'front and back' for a flat, two-sided item like a sheet of paper, a photograph, or a card.
Common compound meaning 'front and back' or 'both sides' of a flat object. Often used with ～とも (both sides) or in set phrases.
This paper is white on both sides.
Please check the front and back of the photo.
Literally 'front and back', using 表 (front) and 裏 (back) connected with と. Slightly more explicit than 表裏.
Print on the front and back of the business card.
Means 'both sides' and is often used in compounds like 両面印刷 (double-sided printing). More about the two sides as a whole rather than distinguishing front from back.
Please print this document on both sides.
The learner wants to refer to the front side (facing the street) and the back side (rear) of a building or area.
The learner wants to talk about the two sides of a coin (heads and tails) or a medal.
Standard for coins: 表 is 'heads' (obverse), 裏 is 'tails' (reverse).
Guess heads or tails of the coin.
The learner wants to refer to the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of the human body.
The learner wants to distinguish the front and back of clothing.
表裏 (hyōri) is for flat objects with two distinct sides (paper, coin). 前後 (zengo) means 'front and back' in terms of spatial direction (front side and rear side) and is used for buildings, vehicles, or temporal order. Do not use 表裏 for the front and back of a car; use 前後 (zengo) or 前と後ろ (mae to ushiro).
Directly translating 'front and back' as 前後 (zengo) may imply 'before and after' in time. Use 表と裏 for two-sided objects, and 前と後ろ for spatial front/back of 3D objects.
The atmosphere is different between the front and back of the building.
This exercise trains the front and back of the thighs.
Sew together the front and back bodice pieces.