表
Meanings
The outward-facing side of an object, opposite of 裏 (ura). Used for physical surfaces like paper, cloth, or a coin's obverse.
Antonyms: 裏
Please write your name on the front side of the paper.
The obverse side of the coin is facing up.
front; obverse
The front of a building, or the obverse (heads) of a coin. Often used in contrast with 裏 (ura).
We put a signboard in front of the shop.
The outside or exterior of something, often used in contrast with the inside or interior.
There is a scratch on the outside of the box.
appearance; outward look
How something looks on the surface, often implying a contrast with the inner reality.
You can't judge a person by appearances alone.
Used in expressions like 表に出る (to become public) or 表向き (publicly, ostensibly).
That issue hasn't come out into the open yet.
top of the inning; first half
Baseball term: the first half of an inning, when the visiting team bats. Antonym: 裏 (bottom of the inning).
Antonyms: 裏 (うら)
They scored two runs in the top of the inning.
A cover or facing for tatami mats, cushions, etc. Often used in compound words like 畳表 (tatami facing).
The tatami facing has become worn out.
Computing term: the foreground of a display or window, as opposed to the background (裏).
Bring the app to the foreground.
Omotesenke school
Abbreviation of 表千家 (Omotesenke), one of the three main schools of Japanese tea ceremony.
See also: 表千家
Omotesenke is one of the three Sen houses.
Usage patterns
- 表が出るfor a coin to land heads-up
I flipped the coin and it landed heads-up.
- 表に出るto come out into the open; to become public
The fact finally came out into the open.
- 〈物〉を表にするto place something with its front/face side up or out
I laid out the cards face-up.
- 表を歩くto walk outside, in the street
The children walked outside on their way to school.