Japanese word

裏側

Pronunciation

Romajiuragawa

Meaning

  • nounback

Example

箱の裏側に名前があります。bako no ura gawa ni na mae ga a ri ma su

There is a name on the back of the box.

Illustration for 裏側 (back)

More examples

店の裏側に小さな庭があります。mise no ura gawa ni chii sa na niwa ga a ri ma su

There is a small garden behind the store.

Core concept

Describes the side opposite the front and extends to the hidden workings behind what is publicly seen.

Common phrases

  • 箱の裏側bako no ura gawa

    back of the box

  • 物事の裏側mono goto no ura gawa

    hidden side of things

Similar words

裏面rimen: The reverse side of a flat object, or an aspect that is not openly shown.
背面haimen: The rear surface of an object, especially the part facing away from its front.

Definition in Japanese

物の正面や表面の反対側。また、外から見えない内部の事情や仕組み。mono no shō men ya hyō men no han tai gawa ma ta soto ka ra mi e na i nai bu no ji jō ya shi ku mi

Word origin

The native Japanese elements 裏 (ura, "back or hidden side") and 側 (gawa, "side") combine in 裏側 (uragawa) to mean the back side or a hidden aspect.

Usage tips

  • For a physical object, English commonly says "the back," while Japanese 裏側 (uragawa) can also describe the unseen process behind an activity.

Other meanings

  • behind the scenesnoun
  • hidden sidenoun

Opposites

  • 表側hyōsokufront sidenoun

Word lists with this word