Translation guide
Describes the front and back of something, often used for spatial orientation, covering both sides, or sequential order.
To refer to both the front and back sides of something, such as a building, vehicle, or piece of paper.
The most common and neutral way to say 'front and rear' or 'front and back' for objects, vehicles, or spaces.
車の前後を確認してください。
Please check the front and rear of the car.
その建物は前後に入口がある。
That building has entrances at the front and rear.
A more conversational way using the basic words for 'front' (前) and 'back' (後ろ). Suitable for everyday speech.
この紙の前と後ろに名前を書いてください。
Please write your name on the front and back of this paper.
Specifically refers to the front and back of flat objects like paper, cards, or coins. Often used for 'both sides' of a sheet.
この書類は表裏に印刷されています。
This document is printed on both sides.
To describe something that happens before and after a certain event or time, or to mean 'approximately' or 'around' a time.
When used after a time or event, 前後 means 'before and after' or 'around' that point. Very common for approximate times.
会議の前後に資料を確認します。
I'll check the materials before and after the meeting.
3時前後に到着します。
I'll arrive around 3 o'clock.
Means 'around the same time' or 'one after another', often used when events happen in close succession.
二人は前後して会場に着いた。
The two arrived at the venue one after the other.
To indicate that something is equipped or present at both the front and rear, such as lights, cameras, or wheels.
Used as a prefix to mean 'front and rear' for equipment or features. Common in technical descriptions.
この車は前後輪駆動です。
This car has front- and rear-wheel drive.
前後カメラ付きのドライブレコーダーを買った。
I bought a dashcam with front and rear cameras.
To describe a situation where the front and back are mistaken or reversed, such as wearing clothes backwards.
A common phrase meaning 'front and back are reversed'. Used for clothing or objects.
シャツを前後ろ逆に着ているよ。
You're wearing your shirt backwards.
Similar to 前後ろ逆, but slightly more formal or written. Can also be used for abstract things like order.
書類の順番が前後逆になっている。
The order of the documents is reversed.
前後 (ぜんご) is a compound word that is more concise and often used in written or formal contexts. 前と後ろ (まえとうしろ) is more colloquial and breaks the concept into two separate words. For spatial descriptions, both are fine, but 前後 is preferred in technical or compact expressions.
When talking about the front and back of a person's body, use 前と後ろ or 正面と背面, not 前後. 前後 is for objects, times, or abstract order.