Front and far side
Word sets, Stage 4chunk 31 of 33Position and direction
Say something is right in front, across, at the back, just before, or face-on.
- mukouover there; the other side
- me no maeright in front of you
- okuthe back; deep inside
- temaejust before; this side (nearer)
- shoumenfront; directly opposite
Mix-ups temae (this side) vs mukou (the far side); oku (deep inside) vs ushiro (behind).
mukou
over there; the other side
The far side of something: kawa no mukou = across the river.
Also 'they, the other party', or 'abroad': mukou de = over there.
ano biru no mukou ni kouen ga aru yo.
There's a park on the other side of that building.
あのビルの向こうに公園があるよ。
ano biru no mukou ni kouen ga arimasu.
There's a park on the other side of that building.
あのビルの向こうに公園があります。
Written 向こう · むこうRank #590 in 3,030 TV dramas
me no mae
right in front of you
Right in front, very close: eki no me no mae = right across from the station.
Also 'coming right up': shiken ga me no mae = the exam is almost here.
hoteru wa eki no me no mae da yo.
The hotel's right in front of the station.
ホテルは駅の目の前だよ。
hoteru wa eki no me no mae desu.
The hotel is right in front of the station.
ホテルは駅の目の前です。
Written 目の前 · めのまえRank #981 in 3,030 TV dramas
oku
the back; deep inside
The far end inside a space: mise no oku = the back of the shop.
ushiro is behind something; oku is deep inside it.
toire, oku ni aru yo.
The toilet's at the back.
トイレ、奥にあるよ。
toire wa oku ni arimasu.
The toilet is at the back.
トイレは奥にあります。
Written 奥 · おくRank #1271 in 3,030 TV dramas
temae
just before; this side (nearer)
In directions: eki no temae = just before you reach the station.
The rough 'temee!' (you!) heard in films comes from it.
eki no temae de oroshite.
Drop me off just before the station.
駅の手前で降ろして。
eki no temae de oroshite kudasai.
Please drop me off just before the station.
駅の手前で降ろしてください。
Written 手前 · てまえRank #3666 in 3,030 TV dramas
shoumen
front; directly opposite
The main face of a building, or straight across from you.
mae is just 'in front'; shoumen is face-on.
shoumen no iriguchi kara haitte.
Come in through the front entrance.
正面の入口から入って。
shoumen no iriguchi kara haitte kudasai.
Please come in through the front entrance.
正面の入口から入ってください。
Written 正面 · しょうめんRank #4434 in 3,030 TV dramas