Translation guide
How to express 'face-to-face' in Japanese, covering direct meetings, in-person interactions, and contrasts with remote communication.
Describing a meeting, conversation, or interaction that happens with people physically present.
Literally 'meeting directly'. This is the most natural way to say you want to talk or discuss something in person.
直接会って話したいです。
I'd like to talk face-to-face.
I'll explain it in person.
Noun meaning 'face-to-face meeting'. Often used in formal or business contexts, like '対面での打ち合わせ' (face-to-face meeting).
対面での面接をお願いします。
I'd like an in-person interview.
対面授業が再開された。
Face-to-face classes have resumed.
Literally 'facing each other'. Used when emphasizing direct confrontation or saying something directly to someone's face, often with a nuance of boldness or difficulty.
面と向かって言えなかった。
I couldn't say it to his face.
Contrasting physical presence with phone, email, or online communication.
Means 'actually meeting'. Emphasizes the real, physical meeting as opposed to virtual contact.
オンラインより実際に会って話すほうがいい。
It's better to talk face-to-face than online.
Used in compounds like 対面式 (face-to-face style) or 対面販売 (face-to-face sales). Common in business and education.
対面でのコミュニケーションが大切だ。
Face-to-face communication is important.
Borrowed from English 'offline'. Used in tech contexts to mean meeting in real life rather than online.
オフラインで会いましょう。
Let's meet face-to-face (offline).
Describing two people or things positioned facing each other.
Means 'facing each other'. Used for physical positioning, like sitting across a table.
向かい合って座った。
We sat face-to-face.
Can also mean 'facing each other' in a spatial sense, but more commonly used for meetings.
二人は対面に立った。
The two stood face-to-face.
直接会って is a casual, everyday phrase meaning 'meet in person'. 対面 is a more formal noun often used in business or official contexts. Use 直接会って when talking to friends, and 対面 for work or announcements.
直接会って話そう。
Let's talk in person.
対面での会議を設定しました。
I've set up a face-to-face meeting.
The English phrase 'face-to-face' is often used metaphorically. In Japanese, avoid literal translations like 顔と顔 (face and face). Use the natural expressions above depending on context.
直接会って話すほうが好きです。
I prefer face-to-face meetings.
直接会って話し合う必要があります。
We need to have a face-to-face discussion.