How to say 'Oneself' or 'Front' in Japanese | 手前

Wondering how to say 'Oneself' or 'Front' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Oneself or Front is 'Temae', written as 手前 in Japanese.'Oneself' or 'Front' in hiragana is てまえ.

word

手前

Meaning

Oneself, Front

Reading

てまえ

temae

Kanji

手Hand 前Before, Front

Explanation

The Japanese noun '手前 (てまえ)' has two distinct meanings. The first meaning is 'front', referring to the space or area directly in front of someone or something. For example: The store is right in front of the station「その店は駅の手前です」(そのみせはえきのてまえです). The second meaning is 'oneself', often used in a humble or self-referential way. For example: I will do it myself「手前でやります」(てまえでやります). It's important to note that the context in which '手前' is used will determine which meaning is intended. The word can also carry a nuance of politeness or humility, especially when referring to oneself.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

3754

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 手前

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

手

Meaning

Hand

kanji

前

Meaning

Before, Front

Words Related to 手前 Through the Kanji 手

These 48 Words contain the Kanji 手 as well.

word

手

Meaning

Hand

word

相手

Meaning

Partner

word

お手洗い

Meaning

Restroom

word

下手

Meaning

Unskilled

word

空手

Meaning

Karate

word

手術

Meaning

Surgery

word

切手

Meaning

Stamp

word

手紙

Meaning

Letter

word

運転手

Meaning

Driver

word

歌手

Meaning

Singer

word

選手

Meaning

Player, Athlete

word

手続き

Meaning

Procedure

word

手段

Meaning

Method, Means

word

苦手

Meaning

Dislike, Weakness

word

両手

Meaning

Both hands

word

手袋

Meaning

Gloves

word

拍手

Meaning

Clap

word

握手

Meaning

Handshake

word

聞き手

Meaning

Listener

word

右手

Meaning

Right hand

word

上手

Meaning

Skilled

word

勝手

Meaning

Selfish

word

左手

Meaning

Left hand

word

手数

Meaning

Effort

word

大手

Meaning

Front, Major

word

手法

Meaning

Technique

word

入手

Meaning

Acquisition

word

手形

Meaning

Promissory note

word

手伝う

Meaning

Help

word

お手伝い

Meaning

Help

word

手元

Meaning

Hand, Nearby

word

片手

Meaning

One hand

word

人手

Meaning

Workers

word

手入れ

Meaning

Maintenance

word

手本

Meaning

Example, Model

word

手伝い

Meaning

Help

word

手帳

Meaning

Notebook

word

仕手

Meaning

Actor

word

手軽

Meaning

Easy

word

手順

Meaning

Procedure

word

手当て

Meaning

Treatment, Allowance

word

手掛かり

Meaning

Clue

word

助手

Meaning

Assistant

word

手足

Meaning

Limbs

word

手間

Meaning

Effort

word

派手

Meaning

Flashy

word

手洗い

Meaning

Restroom, Hand washing

word

手首

Meaning

Wrist

Words Related to 手前 Through the Kanji 前

These 29 Words contain the Kanji 前 as well.

word

前

Meaning

Before, Front

word

御前

Meaning

You

word

名前

Meaning

Name

word

以前

Meaning

Before, Previously

word

昼前

Meaning

Before noon

word

前後

Meaning

Approximately, Before and after

word

前提

Meaning

Premise

word

当たり前

Meaning

Natural, Obvious

word

午前

Meaning

Morning, AM

word

前回

Meaning

Last time

word

前期

Meaning

First half

word

前述

Meaning

Aforementioned

word

直前

Meaning

Just before

word

事前

Meaning

Advance, Prior

word

前進

Meaning

Advance

word

前半

Meaning

First half

word

戦前

Meaning

Prewar

word

前者

Meaning

Former

word

前方

Meaning

Front

word

前掲

Meaning

Aforementioned

word

前向き

Meaning

Positive

word

人前

Meaning

Public

word

前もって

Meaning

Beforehand

word

出前

Meaning

Delivery

word

前日

Meaning

Previous day

word

前売り券

Meaning

Advance, Ticket

word

前年

Meaning

Previous year

word

建て前

Meaning

Principle, Facade

word

駅前

Meaning

Station front

Learn the Word 手前

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Temae' (手前) mean?

'Temae' means 'Oneself' or 'Front' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.