建前
Meanings
public stance; official position; face
Refers to the outward position or attitude one presents publicly, often contrasted with one's true feelings (本音). Common in social, business, and political contexts.
See also: 本音
A politician's public stance and true feelings are often different.
At the meeting it was all official positions; I couldn't hear anyone's real thoughts.
framework-raising ceremony
Only when written 建前 / 建て前
Traditional ceremony held when the framework of a building is erected. Restricted to kanji forms 建前 and 建て前.
Neighbors were also invited to the framework-raising ceremony for the new house.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が建前を言うfor someone to state their official position (rather than true feelings)
He's just saying it for form's sake; his real feelings seem different.
- 建前が行われるfor a framework-raising ceremony to be held
The framework-raising ceremony for the new house is scheduled for next month.
- 建前上は〈事〉officially / on the surface, ...
Officially he isn't opposed, but in reality he doesn't agree either.
- 〈場所〉で建前をするto hold a framework-raising ceremony at a place
The carpenters held a framework-raising ceremony on that plot of land.
Expressions
- 本音と建前true feelings vs. public stance; real motive vs. stated reason