Japanese word

前面

Pronunciation

Romajizenmen

Meaning

  • nounfront

Example

車の前面に傷があります。kuruma no zen men ni kizu ga a ri ma su

There is a scratch on the front of the car.

Illustration for 前面 (front)

More examples

会社は環境問題を前面に掲げています。kai sha wa kan kyō mon dai o zen men ni kaka ge te i ma su

The company is putting environmental issues at the forefront.

Core concept

Describes the side or surface that faces forward or presents itself as the front of an object or building.

Common phrases

  • 前面に出るzen men ni de ru

    come to the forefront

  • 前面に押し出すzen men ni o shi da su

    push to the forefront

  • 前面に立つzen men ni ta tsu

    stand at the forefront

Similar words

正面shōmen: The side of an object or building that directly faces an observer or serves as its main entrance.
表側hyōsoku: The outer or front-facing side of something that has a distinct reverse side.

Definition in Japanese

物の進行方向に向いた側、または建物などの正面に当たる面。mono no shin kō hō kō ni mu i ta gawa ma ta wa tate mono na do no shō men ni a ta ru men

Word origin

前 (zen, "front") combines with 面 (men, "face or surface") to form 前面 (zenmen), literally the front surface.

Usage tips

  • The term 前面 (zenmen) distinguishes a physical front surface from 前に (mae ni), which means being in front of something rather than naming that surface.

Other meanings

  • facadenoun

Opposites

  • 背面haimenbacknoun

Related words

  • 前面化zenmenkaforegroundingnoun

Word lists with this word