All learning guides

後ろ and 裏: behind a person and on an object’s reverse side

Separate a position behind someone in a line from the back of an envelope, then examine overlap behind a building.

Behind a reference person or object

後ろ, read うしろ, locates something behind a person or object. 私の後ろに並んでください。 asks someone to line up behind the speaker.

椅子の後ろに鞄を置きました。 says that a bag was placed behind the chair. It does not say the bag was attached to its back surface.

A reverse surface or the back of a building

裏, read うら, can name a reverse surface or a building’s back area. 封筒の裏に住所を書きました。 says that an address was written on the back of the envelope.

建物の裏に小さな庭があります。 says that a small garden lies behind the building. Here 裏 is an area rather than a sheet-like surface.

Checking for a surface or a surrounding position

写真の裏を見ました。 says that the reverse side of a photograph was examined. It does not describe looking at a person standing behind the photograph.

建物の後ろ and 建物の裏 can overlap when locating something behind a building. That interchange does not extend mechanically to lining up in 私の後ろに並ぶ.

Does カードの裏に番号があります。 put the number on a separate object behind the card?

Show the answer and why

No. The sentence places the number on the card’s reverse side.

Menu

Language
Display theme

Sign In

Sign in to continue.