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裏には裏がある (うらにはうらがある) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

裏うらには裏うらがある

う

ら

に

は

う

ら

が

あ

る

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ru, irregular)

there are wheels within wheels; there's more than meets the eye

proverb

Proverb meaning that behind one hidden aspect there is yet another, deeper layer; things are not as simple as they appear.

彼かれの話はなしは裏うらには裏うらがあるようで、何なにを信しんじていいかわからない。
His story seems to have hidden depths; I don't know what to believe.

この事じ件けんは裏うらには裏うらがあるから、簡かん単たんに判はん断だんできない。

This case has many hidden layers, so we can't judge it easily.

Written forms

裏うらには裏うらがある
Standard kanji spelling for this proverb.
裏うらには裏うらが有ある
Variant spelling using 有る for ある; less common but still encountered.

Kanji

裏back, amidst, in
有possess, have, exist

Similar words

裏うらの裏うら
A similar concept meaning 'the back of the back' or 'the hidden side of the hidden side', but 裏には裏がある is a full proverbial expression emphasizing the existence of multiple hidden layers.

Etymology

A Japanese proverb composed of 裏 (back, hidden side) repeated with the structure ～には～がある (there is ... in ...). The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common cultural notion of layered hidden intentions or complexities.