Japanese Conversation · Level 77
76 words
Japanese word
男前
Pronunciation
Romajiotokomae
Meaning
- nounhandsome
Example
彼はとても男前です。kare wa to te mo otoko mae de su
He is very handsome.
More examples
若いころの父は、近所でも評判の男前でした。waka i ko ro no chichi wa kin jo de mo hyō ban no otoko mae de shi ta
When he was young, my father was known in the neighborhood as a handsome man.
Core concept
Describes a man's good looks as an appealing combination of attractiveness and a masculine, confident presence.
Common phrases
かなりの男前ka na ri no otoko mae
a very handsome man
男前の俳優otoko mae no hai yū
handsome actor
Similar words
イケメンikemen: Refers to a good-looking man in casual modern language.
美男子bidanshi: Describes a man with notably attractive and refined features.
二枚目nimaime: Refers to a handsome man associated with a romantic leading role.
Definition in Japanese
男性の顔立ちや姿が整い、りりしく魅力的であること。dan sei no kao da chi ya sugata ga totono i ri ri shi ku mi ryoku teki de a ru ko to
Word origin
The compound 男前 (otokomae) joins 男 (otoko, "man") with 前 (mae, "front" or "appearance"), giving the sense of a man's outwardly appealing look or bearing.
Usage tips
- In Japanese, 男前 (otokomae) can praise not only a man's looks but also behavior that seems bold and reliable.
Other meanings
- good looksnoun
- handsome mannoun
Related words
- 男前さotokomaesahandsomenessnoun