Japanese Conversation · Level 36
90 words
Japanese word
表向き
Pronunciation
Romajiomotemuki
Meaning
- nounofficial
Example
表向きの理由は仕事です。omote mu ki no ri yū wa shi goto de su
The official reason is work.
More examples
彼は表向きは賛成していますが、本当は反対です。kare wa omote mu ki wa san sei shi te i ma su ga hon tō wa han tai de su
He appears to support it, but he actually opposes it.
Core concept
Refers to the public-facing status or explanation of something rather than its private or underlying reality.
Common phrases
表向きの理由omote mu ki no ri yū
official reason
表向きの目的omote mu ki no moku teki
ostensible purpose
表向きは順調omote mu ki wa jun chō
appear to be going smoothly
Similar words
建前tatemae: The public position or stated reason presented in a social or formal setting.
名目meimoku: The stated purpose or formal label used to describe an arrangement.
Definition in Japanese
内実とは別に、外部に示される公的な立場や事情。nai jitsu to wa betsu ni gai bu ni shime sa re ru kō teki na tachi ba ya ji jō
Word origin
The Japanese compound 表向き (omotemuki) joins 表 (omote, "outside") with 向き (muki, "facing toward"), giving the sense of an outward or public presentation.
Usage tips
- In Japanese reporting, 表向き (omotemuki) often signals that an account is the stated version, so it can hint that fuller information may exist without directly asserting deception.
Other meanings
- outward appearancenoun
- ostensiblenoun