建前

• 読み: たてまえ
• ローマ字: tatemae
• 漢字の分解: 建 (build/construct) + 前 (front/facade) → the constructed front, public-facing appearance
• 発音: /ta.te.ma.e/

意味

The public facade or polite social mask one wears; what you say to maintain harmony regardless of true feelings.

建前 is the counterpart to 本音, representing the socially appropriate front people maintain in public interactions. While sometimes criticized as dishonest by Western observers, 建前 serves a vital social function in maintaining group harmony. In modern casual speech, pointing out someone's 建前 can be humorous or confrontational, depending on context.

例文

1. それ絶対建前でしょ、本当はどう思ってるの？
2. 日本の社会って建前がないと回らないよね。
3. 彼女の建前がうますぎて本音が全然わからない。

使い方ガイド

場面: social commentary, workplace, relationships, cultural discussion

トーン: analytical, sometimes cynical

正しい言い方

• 建前だけの付き合いは疲れるなぁ (Relationships based only on social facades are exhausting)
• 日本人は建前が上手って言われるけど本当にそうだよね (They say Japanese people are good at tatemae, and it's really true)

避ける言い方

• 「あなたそれ建前でしょ」と上司に言うのは避ける (Saying 'that's just your tatemae' to your boss is confrontational — it implies they're being fake)

よくある間違い

• Treating 建前 as simply 'lying' — it is a valued social skill for maintaining harmony, not deception
• Not recognising when someone is using 建前 and taking everything at face value in Japanese social settings

起源と歴史

Originally an architectural term meaning the framework or facade of a building (建 = build, 前 = front). Extended metaphorically to mean one's social facade. Paired with 本音 as a core concept in Japanese interpersonal communication.

文化的背景

時代: Classical concept rooted in Japanese social structure

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal

地域メモ: Used across all of Japan. Understanding 建前 is considered essential for navigating Japanese social and business culture.