true feelings vs. public stance; real motive vs. stated reason
Describes the contrast between what one truly thinks or feels (本音) and the socially acceptable or official position one expresses (建前). Often used in discussions of Japanese social dynamics.
日本人は本音と建前を使い分けると言われる。
It is said that Japanese people distinguish between their true feelings and their public stance.
会議では本音と建前がはっきり分かれ、誰も本音を言わなかった。
At the meeting, true feelings and public stances were clearly divided, and nobody spoke their true feelings.
Standard kanji spelling. 建前 is the most common way to write たてまえ in this phrase.
Alternate spelling using 建て前 for たてまえ. Less common but still seen.
Katakana spelling used for emphasis or in casual writing.
Compound of 本音 (true feelings) and 建前 (official stance, originally a term for the framework or structure of a building, metaphorically extended to mean a publicly stated position).