Structure
Verb + 手前
Noun + の + 手前
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一般
About 手前
The noun 手前 'in front of' has several different meanings in Japanese depending on whether it is being used with a verb in its standard form, or with a noun.
Regarding verbs, it expresses 'going forward from (A), (B)'. This is usually in relation to something that has happened either accidentally or completely, and may represent what will be done as a result of being in that situation.
When 手前 appears with nouns followed by the case marking particleの, it often expresses that what is 'in front' of (A) is the reason for (B), or simply is 'in front of (B)'.
Regarding verbs, it expresses 'going forward from (A), (B)'. This is usually in relation to something that has happened either accidentally or completely, and may represent what will be done as a result of being in that situation.
- 崖から落ちる手前で父親に腕を引っ張られた。My father pulled me by my arm before I fell off the cliff.
- 勢いで手を上げてしまった手前、答えずに手を下げるわけにはいかない。From the standpoint of me raising my hand in the heat of the moment, there is no way of me backing out without answering the question.
- 先輩にはいつもお世話になっている手前、彼女の頼みを断るわけにはいかない。Since my senpai always takes good care of me, there is no way that I can turn down her request.
When 手前 appears with nouns followed by the case marking particleの, it often expresses that what is 'in front' of (A) is the reason for (B), or simply is 'in front of (B)'.
- 娘の手前、運動音痴な姿を見せるわけにはいかない。I can't show my unathletic self in front of my daughter.
- 彼女の両親の手前、発言には気を付けなければいけない。I have to be careful of what I say when I am in front of my girlfriend's parents.
Synonyms
Examples
君の手前にあるものを見てください。
Please look at the thing that is in front of you.
死んでしまう一歩手前で助かった。
I was helped just before I would have died.
一歩手前 is an expression meaning 'on the brink'.
私の手前の人が、私の友達です。
The person in front of me is my friend.
オルガンをもっと手前に配置してください。
Please position the organ even more in front.
これまでよりも手前で曲がるカーブを投げられるようになった。
I became able to throw a curveball that curves even more in front.
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