Translation guide
The English phrase 'in front' describes a position ahead of or facing something. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 前 (まえ), but the natural expression depends on whether you mean physically in front of an object, facing a person, or in the presence of someone. This guide covers the main spatial uses, common phrases, and important distinctions like 前 vs. 手前.
To say that something is located in front of an object or place, like a building, car, or door.
The most common and neutral word for 'in front'. Used with the particle に for location (にいる/にある) or で for actions happening there.
駅の前にコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store in front of the station.
車の前に立たないでください。
Please don't stand in front of the car.
Means 'just in front' or 'this side of', emphasizing proximity to the speaker. Often used when giving directions or referring to something closer than another landmark.
信号の手前で止まってください。
Please stop just before the traffic light.
銀行は郵便局の手前にあります。
The bank is just before the post office.
Means 'directly in front' or 'front-facing'. Used for the front of a building, a person's front view, or facing something head-on.
ホテルの正面に噴水があります。
There is a fountain directly in front of the hotel.
To say that something happens in front of a person, meaning in their presence or view.
Also used for 'in front of a person'. Can imply 'in the presence of' and is natural for both physical and social contexts.
みんなの前で話すのは緊張します。
I get nervous speaking in front of everyone.
子供の前でタバコを吸わないでください。
Please don't smoke in front of the children.
Literally 'before one's eyes', emphasizes that something is happening right in front of someone, often with a sense of immediacy or shock.
To say that someone or something is ahead of you in a queue, race, or order.
Used for 'ahead' in a line or sequence. Often with に to indicate position relative to others.
私の前に3人います。
There are three people in front of me.
前の車が急に止まった。
The car in front stopped suddenly.
Means 'ahead' or 'further on', often used for direction or when someone goes ahead of you. Not interchangeable with 前 for static location.
Cannot be used for 'in front of a building' etc. Only for movement or sequence.
先に行ってください。
Please go ahead.
To describe something that is on the front side of an object, or the side that faces outward.
Means 'front' as opposed to 'back' (裏). Used for the front side of a building, paper, coin, etc.
封筒の表に住所を書いてください。
Please write the address on the front of the envelope.
Means 'front surface' or 'frontage'. More technical, used for the front of a building, machine, or screen.
前 is the general word for 'in front'. 手前 means 'just in front (from the speaker's perspective)' or 'this side of'. Use 手前 when giving directions to indicate something is before a landmark, or when emphasizing closeness to the speaker.
銀行は郵便局の前にあります。
The bank is in front of the post office. (could be across the street)
銀行は郵便局の手前にあります。
The bank is just before the post office. (on the way to it)
English 'in front' is spatial. For temporal 'before', use 前 (まえ) with a verb in dictionary form + 前に, e.g., 食べる前に (before eating). The spatial 前 uses の前に with a noun.
An accident happened right in front of my eyes.
建物の前面はガラス張りです。
The front of the building is glass-walled.