表裏

• Reading: ひょうり
• Romaji: hyori
• Kanji breakdown: 表 (hyou/omote) — surface, front, outside; 裏 (ri/ura) — back, reverse, inside
• Pronunciation: /çjo.ː.ɾi/

Meaning

Front and back; two sides; duplicity. Can describe both the literal two faces of an object and a person's two-faced or hypocritical nature.

A noun with both concrete and abstract meanings. Physically, it refers to the front and back of a surface. Figuratively, 表裏のある人 describes someone who behaves differently in public versus private — two-faced or hypocritical. 表裏一体 (two sides of the same coin) is a common set phrase meaning inseparably linked.

Examples

1. 成功と失敗は表裏の関係にあり、どちらも成長に欠かせないものだ。 Success and failure are two sides of the same coin — both are essential for growth.
2. あの人は表裏があるから、表向きの言葉をそのまま信じるのは危険だ。 That person is two-faced, so it's dangerous to take their words at face value.
3. 豊かさと貧困は現代社会が抱える表裏の問題だと言える。 Affluence and poverty can be seen as two sides of the same problem in modern society.

Usage Guide

Context: character, philosophy, relationships, society

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 表 (hyou/omote, surface/front) and 裏 (ri/ura, back/reverse). The compound has been in use since classical Japanese, describing both literal surfaces and figurative duality. Used in idioms like 表裏一体 from at least the Edo period.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal