裏表

うらおもて

Meanings

1. Noun back and front; inside and outside; both sides
2. inside out (e.g. clothing)
3. double-dealing; two faces (cf. two-faced) See also: 表裏 (ひょうり).
4. outward appearance and actual condition; inner workings

Kanji

• 裏 behind. Read as うら.
• 表 express. Read as おもて.

Example sentences

• お前のすることには裏表がある。
  You are two-faced.
• 彼は裏表のない道化。苦悩していないただの道化でした。
  He was a jester, and nothing more. He felt no pain; he was a jester, and nothing more.
• トムは裏表があるから気をつけた方がいいよ。
  Because Tom is two-faced, it's better to be careful.

Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists