This word means 'you'. It is very rude. People use it when they are very angry or fighting.
手前Primary
This word means 'you'. It is very rude. People use it when they are very angry or fighting.
手前ごときにこの俺が負けるかよ！
As if I'd lose to the likes of you!
手前がやったんだろう！
You're the one who did it, aren't you!
手前には関係ないことだ。口を出すな。
This has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it.
RoughNon PastNegativeClause InitialProhibition
手前のそのふざけた態度が気に入らないんだよ。
I can't stand that screw-you attitude of yours.
手前の言い分も聞こうではないか。
Let's hear what you have to say for yourself, shall we?
Imagine 'temae' is like a coin with two very different sides. One side means 'I' (humble). The other side means 'you' (very rude). It is confusing, but that is how the word grew.
Other words for 'you' are 'omae' and 'kisama'. 'Omae' can be used by close male friends. But 'temae' is much stronger. It is like 'temee'. Both are very rude. 'Kisama' is also very rude. But it sounds older or like a book. 'Temae' and 'temee' are pure insults now.
Don't use this when you are speaking politely. For example, don't say "手前は元気ですか" (Are you well?). This word is very rude. It is for angry talk. It is for fighting. It shows you hate the other person. You will hear it in anime. Bad guys often use it.
Often confused with(1)
Contrasts with(1)
Less formal alternatives(1)
Dialect / slang variants(1)
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.