Contents
Meaning
「男前」(otokomae) is a Japanese term that literally means “manly” or “man-like,” but it’s commonly used to describe someone who is handsome or good-looking in a masculine way.
The word can refer to:
- Physical appearance: A man with attractive, masculine features – strong jawline, well-defined features, etc.
- Character and behavior: Someone who is cool, admirable, or has an appealing personality – perhaps confident, straightforward, or chivalrous in their actions.
While it’s most often used to describe men, 「男前」 can also be used for women to compliment them as being “handsome” in a cool, androgynous, or admirably strong way – similar to how English speakers might call a woman “dashing” or say she has “cool charisma.”
The term carries a positive connotation and is used as a compliment in everyday conversation.
Example sentences
以下、「男前」を使った例文20個を英訳付きでお届けします。
- 彼は顔も性格も男前だ。 He’s handsome and has a great personality too.
- あの俳優は本当に男前だね。 That actor is really good-looking.
- 男前な行動に惚れ直した。 I fell for him all over again because of his admirable actions.
- 彼女は男前な性格で頼りになる。 She has a cool, dependable personality.
- 困っている人を助けるなんて男前だ。 Helping someone in trouble – that’s really admirable.
- 新入社員の中で一番男前なのは田中さんだ。 Tanaka is the most handsome among the new employees.
- 彼の男前な決断に皆が感心した。 Everyone was impressed by his bold decision.
- 割り勘を断って全部払うなんて男前すぎる。 Refusing to split the bill and paying for everything – that’s so generous and cool.
- 男前な顔立ちで女性に人気がある。 He’s popular with women because of his handsome features.
- 彼は見た目も中身も男前な人だ。 He’s attractive both inside and out.
- 上司の男前な采配に部下たちは信頼を寄せている。 The subordinates trust their boss because of his admirable leadership.
- 男前な背中を見せてくれてありがとう。 Thanks for showing me such a cool, inspiring example.
- 彼女の男前な一面に驚いた。 I was surprised by her cool, masculine side.
- 責任を取る姿勢が男前だ。 Taking responsibility like that is really admirable.
- あんな男前な笑顔を見せられたら断れない。 I can’t say no when he gives me such a charming smile.
- 男前な車に乗っているね。 You’re driving a really cool car.
- 弱音を吐かない男前な性格が好きだ。 I like his strong character – he never complains.
- 彼の男前なファッションセンスに憧れる。 I admire his cool, masculine fashion sense.
- 潔く謝る姿が男前だった。 The way he apologized straightforwardly was really admirable.
- 男前な先輩として後輩に慕われている。 He’s respected by his juniors as a cool, reliable senior.
Conversation example
「男前」を使った会話例を英訳付きでご紹介します。
会話例1：友達同士の会話
A: 昨日合コンで会った人、めっちゃ男前だったよ！
A: The guy I met at the group date yesterday was super handsome!
B: え、どんな感じの人？
B: Oh really? What was he like?
A: 背が高くて、顔立ちがシャープで。性格も男前だった。
A: He was tall with sharp features. And his personality was cool too.
B: いいなあ。連絡先交換した？
B: Nice! Did you exchange contact info?
会話例2：職場での会話
A: 山田さん、今日の会議で自分のミスを認めてたね。
A: Yamada admitted his mistake in today’s meeting.
B: うん、あれは男前だったよ。責任逃れしない姿勢が素晴らしい。
B: Yeah, that was really admirable. His attitude of not avoiding responsibility was great.
A: 上司としても信頼できるよね。
A: He’s trustworthy as a boss.
会話例3：デート後の会話
A: 今日のデート、楽しかった？
A: Did you enjoy today’s date?
B: うん！彼、全部おごってくれて男前だったよ。
B: Yes! He paid for everything – that was so generous.
A: それはいいね。他にはどうだった？
A: That’s nice. How was everything else?
B: 店員さんにも優しくて、本当に男前な人だと思った。
B: He was kind to the staff too. I really thought he was a great guy.
会話例4：映画を見た後の会話
A: あの主人公の俳優、超男前じゃない？
A: Isn’t the actor who played the lead super handsome?
B: 分かる！アクションシーンもかっこよかったし。
B: I know! The action scenes were cool too.
A: 顔だけじゃなくて、演技も男前だよね。
A: Not just his looks, but his acting is impressive too.
会話例5：友人を褒める会話
A: さっき荷物持つの手伝ってくれてありがとう。
A: Thanks for helping me carry my stuff earlier.
B: いやいや、当然だよ。
B: No problem, it’s natural.
A: でも重かったでしょ？男前だなあ。
A: But it was heavy, wasn’t it? That was really cool of you.
B: そんな大げさな（笑）
B: You’re exaggerating! (laughs)
会話例6：美容室での会話
客: 今日はどんな髪型にしましょうか？
Customer: What kind of hairstyle should we do today?
美容師: 男前な感じにしたいんですか？それとも優しい印象？
Stylist: Do you want a cool, masculine look? Or a softer impression?
客: 男前な感じでお願いします。
Customer: I’d like a cool, masculine look, please.
会話例7：母娘の会話
娘: お母さん、今日友達が私のこと「男前な性格」って言ってた。
Daughter: Mom, my friend said I have a “cool personality” today.
母: それって褒め言葉よ。サバサバしてて頼りになるってことでしょ。
Mother: That’s a compliment. It means you’re straightforward and dependable.
娘: そうなんだ。ちょっと嬉しい。
Daughter: Really? I’m kind of happy about that.
会話例8：カフェでの会話
A: 隣のテーブルの人、めちゃくちゃ男前じゃない？
A: Isn’t the guy at the next table incredibly handsome?
B: どの人？あ、黒いシャツの人？確かに！
B: Which one? Oh, the one in the black shirt? You’re right!
A: 雰囲気も男前だよね。
A: His whole vibe is cool too.
B: 見とれちゃうね（笑）
B: I can’t stop looking! (laughs)
