Translation guide
The main entrance gate to a property, building, or complex. Japanese distinguishes between the physical gate structure and the entrance area, and the best word depends on context.
The primary gate at the front of a residence or building, often the formal entrance.
The formal main gate of a school, company, or large building. Often used for official entrances.
学校の正門の前で待っています。
I'll wait in front of the school's front gate.
The front gate of a traditional Japanese house or estate, often implying a formal, street-facing entrance.
表門からお入りください。
Please enter through the front gate.
General word for 'gate'. Can be used for a front gate when context is clear, but may need clarification.
門の前に車を止めないでください。
Please don't park in front of the gate.
The space immediately inside or outside the front gate, often used in everyday speech.
Refers to the entrance hall or front door area of a house. Often used when English says 'front gate' but means the entrance to the house itself.
Not a gate, but the entrance area. Use when the English 'front gate' actually refers to the front door/entrance.
玄関の前に荷物が置いてありました。
There was a package left at the front gate.
Literally 'in front of the house'. Used casually to refer to the area near the front gate/entrance.
家の前で待ってて。
Wait for me at the front gate.
The main entrance gate to a public space or large compound.
General word for 'entrance'. Often used for the front gate of parks, zoos, etc.
公園の入口で集合しましょう。
Let's meet at the front gate of the park.
A large, impressive gate, often at temples or historical sites. Not for ordinary houses.
正門 is for institutional buildings (schools, companies). 表門 is for traditional residences. 玄関 is the entrance area of a house, not a gate. Use 玄関 when English 'front gate' means the front door area.
English 'front gate' often refers to the entrance area or front door. Saying 前の門 (mae no mon) is unnatural. Use 玄関 or 家の前 for houses.
寺の大門をくぐると、静かな境内が広がっていた。
Passing through the temple's front gate, a quiet precinct spread out before us.