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GRAMMAR
〜手前
before
from standpoint of
Explanation
NOTE

〜手前てまえ means given that — having said or done X, one has the obligation to do Y.

やると言いった手前てまえ、今いまさらやめられない。
Given that I said I'd do it, I can't quit now.
Carries a strong nuance of saving face or honoring one's word.
NOTE

The result clause expresses a duty or course of action one must take to maintain dignity or honor a commitment.

NOTE

With verbs, attach 手前てまえ to the past plain form (約束やくそくした → 約束やくそくした*手前てまえ*).

STRUCTURE
Vた
手前
約束したした手前てまえ、行いかないわけにはいかない。
Yakusoku shita temae, ikanai wake ni wa ikanai.
Since I made a promise, I cannot back out of going.
みんなに教おしえると言いった手前てまえ、休やすむわけにはいかない。
Minna ni oshieru to itta temae, yasumu wake ni wa ikanai.
Since I told everyone I would teach them, I cannot take a day off.
ここまで言いった手前てまえ、引ひき下さがることはできない。
Koko made itta temae, hikisagaru koto wa dekinai.
Having said this much, I cannot withdraw now.
引ひき受うけた手前てまえ、最後さいごまでやらなければならない。
Hikiuketa temae, saigo made yaranakereba naranai.
Given that I took it on, I have to see it through to the end.
大口おおぐちをたたいた手前てまえ、失敗しっぱいするわけにはいかない。
Ooguchi o tataita temae, shippai suru wake ni wa ikanai.
Given that I boasted, I can't afford to fail.
自分じぶんから誘さそった手前てまえ、おごるしかない。
Jibun kara sasotta temae, ogoru shika nai.
Given that I invited them myself, I have no choice but to pay.
NOTE

With nouns, attach の手前てまえ — often used when honor or obligation is owed to someone specific.

STRUCTURE
N辞
の手前
子供こどもの手前てまえ、けんかはできない。
Kodomo no temae, kenka wa dekinai.
Out of consideration for the children, we can't fight.
部下ぶかの手前てまえ、弱音よわねを吐はけない。
Buka no temae, yowane o hakenai.
Out of consideration for my subordinates, I can't show weakness.
客きゃくの手前てまえ、笑顔えがおでいなければならない。
Kyaku no temae, egao de inakereba naranai.
Out of consideration for the customers, I must keep smiling.

Practice exercises

1
緊急きんきゅう事態じたいにつき、店長てんちょうの手前てまえ、弱音よわねは吐はけない。
Due to the emergency, in front of the store manager, I cannot complain.
Answer
手前てまえ
2
親戚しんせきの手前てまえ、彼かれらを放ほうっておくことはできない。
From the standpoint of being relatives, I cannot leave them alone.
Answer
手前てまえ
3
この会議かいぎにて、部長ぶちょうの手前てまえ、発言はつげんを控ひかえる。
At this conference, in front of the department manager, I will refrain from speaking.
Answer
手前てまえ
4
重大じゅうだいな決定けっていに際さいして、社長しゃちょうの手前てまえ、私情しじょうは挟はさめない。
When making a major decision, in front of the president, I cannot allow personal feelings.
Answer
手前てまえ
5
先生せんせいである手前てまえ、生徒せいとに示しめしがつくように行動こうどうするべきだ。
As a teacher (lit. in front of being a teacher), I should act in a way that sets an example for students.
Answer
手前てまえ