Vocabulary

What does 建前 (たてまえ, tatemae) mean?

建前 (たてまえ, tatemae) means official stance, public facade.

Quick facts
Reading	たてまえ
Romaji	tatemae
Part of speech	noun
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1

建前たてまえ

N1 · estimated, JLPT frameworkCommontatemae

official stance, public facade

1noun face; official stance; public position or attitude (as opposed to private thoughts)
2noun ceremony for the erection of the framework of a house

Example sentences

彼(かれ)の言葉(ことば)は建前(たてまえ)に過(す)ぎない。
His words are nothing more than a facade.
建前(たてまえ)と本音(ほんね)は違(ちが)うことが多(おお)い。
One's official stance and true feelings often differ.