Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 表裏一体
Voice sample:
ひょうりいったい (hyouri ittai)
English Translation:
Two sides of the same coin
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Literally “front and back as one body”; two things that seem opposite but are closely linked and cannot be separated.
日本語で読む
二つのものが、表と裏のように切りはなせない関係にあること。
Cultural Context:
It is often used for pairs like success and failure, love and hate, or freedom and responsibility.
日本語で読む
成功と失敗、愛と憎しみ、自由と責任など、反対に見えて切りはなせない二つのものについてよく使う。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Often “AとBは表裏一体だ” or “表裏一体の関係.”
日本語で読む
•「AとBは表裏一体だ」「表裏一体の関係」のように使う。
Trap for English Speakers
It does not mean two-faced (that is 表裏がある); it describes two things that go together.
日本語で読む
「表裏がある」（裏表のある性格）とはちがい、二つのものが深く結びついていることを表す。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
自由と責任は表裏一体だと、先生は話した。
Our teacher said freedom and responsibility are two sides of the same coin.
Example 2Applied Example
身を隠す術と気配を読む術は表裏一体だと、師匠は弟子に教えた。
The master taught his apprentice that the art of hiding and the art of sensing others are two sides of the same coin.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「表裏一体」 mean?