本ほん音ねと建たて前まえ

expression, noun

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.

• 日本にほん人じんは本ほん音ねと建たて前まえを使つかい分わけると言いわれる。

  It is said that Japanese people distinguish between their true feelings and their public stance.

• 会かい議ぎでは本ほん音ねと建たて前まえがはっきり分わかれ、誰だれも本ほん音ねを言いわなかった。

  At the meeting, true feelings and public stances were clearly divided, and nobody spoke their true feelings.