裏面・裡面|りめんrimen[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounback (side); reverse
2. nounthe inside; background; dark side (e.g. of society); behind the scenes; beneath the surface
   ポールは会計かいけい報告ほうこくの裏面りめん操作そうさについて知識ちしきがあったので、その隠かくれた才能さいのうを発揮はっきして必要ひつようなものを全すべて手てに入いれていた。↗

   Paul's knowledge of creative bookkeeping has been the secret of his ability to get all the staffing he needs.

• Synonym裏うらNeutralThe broadest everyday word for the back or hidden side of something; 「裏面（りめん）」 is more written in tone but covers both an object's reverse and hidden facts.
• Synonym裏側うらがわNeutralCommon in daily speech for the reverse side or the inside story, as in 「政界の裏側」; 「裏面」 is more written, as in 「カードの裏面」.
• Synonym背面はいめんWrittenWritten-style word for the side facing back, also a hidden side; largely interchangeable with 「裏面」, mostly for objects and buildings.
• SynonymバックCasualColloquial loanword for the back, background, or backing/support; 「裏面」 is the side opposite the front of an object, or hidden facts.
• Related裏手うらてNeutralRefers to the area behind a building — a location; 「裏面」 is the back face of things like paper, and also hidden facts.
• Related後ろうしろNeutralThe most common word for the space behind something; 「裏面」 is the side of an object opposite its front and does not indicate direction.
• Related背後はいごWrittenWritten-style word for behind something, or the power pulling the strings, as in 「背後の組織」; 「裏面」 is an object's reverse or the hidden facts themselves.
• Related後方こうほうWrittenA literary, old-fashioned word for the rear, rare in modern use; 「裏面」 is an object's reverse side and does not indicate direction.
• Related後部こうぶWrittenWritten word for the rear part of a whole, such as the back of a car or ship; 「裏面」 is the face opposite the front — the difference is part versus face.
• Related後ろ側うしろがわNeutralPoints to the rear side of an object or spot, focusing on position; 「裏面」 is the face opposite the front, like the back of a sheet of paper.
• Related後尾こうびWrittenWritten word for the tail end of a line or convoy, as in 「最後尾」; 「裏面」 is an object's reverse face, unrelated to end positions.
• Related後面こうめんWrittenWritten word for the side of an object facing back, close to 「裏面」; but 「裏面」 can also mean hidden facts, while 「後面」 is physical only.
• Antonym表面ひょうめんNeutralA thing's outward surface or appearances; it opposes 「裏面」 both as front versus back of an object and as appearances versus hidden reality.
• Antonymオモテ面おもてめんCasualColloquial word for the front of paper, coins, records and the like — the direct opposite of 「裏面」; also the main levels in a game.
• Antonym表側おもてがわNeutralThe side facing outward, or the side of a building with the main entrance; it opposes 「裏面」 in front-versus-back position.

Use the written-style 「裏面」 for the side of an object opposite its front, or for facts hidden from the public, as in 「紙の裏面」. In everyday speech 「裏」 and 「裏側」 are more common; for the space behind something use 「後ろ」. The opposites are 「表面」 and 「表側」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 視覚しかくの対象たいしょうである面めんと逆側ぎゃくがわ（裏うら）にある面めん。
2. 外部がいぶに知しられていない部分ぶぶん。内幕うちまく。