Translation and Meaning of: 前後 - zengo

The Japanese word 前後[ぜんご] is a versatile term that appears in various contexts of daily life and Japanese culture. If you are studying the language or are just curious about Japanese expressions, understanding its meaning, origin, and uses can enrich your knowledge. In this article, we will explore everything from the composition of the kanji to practical situations in which this word is used, along with tips for memorizing it easily.

Meaning and composition of 前後

Zen and go are formed by two kanjis: 前 (zen), which means "before" or "front", and 後 (go), which represents "after" or "back". Together, they convey the idea of "before and after", but can also indicate "approximately" or "around" when referring to time or quantity. For example, when saying "10分前後" (juppun zengo), we mean "around 10 minutes."

Moreover, the term can describe the sequential order of events or the spatial relationship between objects. This temporal and physical duality makes 前後 a rather useful word in everyday life, whether to arrange meetings or explain positions. It is worth noting that, although it seems simple, its use requires attention to context to avoid ambiguities.

Everyday use and practical examples

In spoken Japanese, 前後 is often used to indicate approximate periods. Phrases such as "会議は3時前後です" (the meeting will be around 3 o'clock) are common in both professional and informal settings. This flexibility makes the expression essential for those who want to sound natural when communicating.

Another interesting use appears in manuals or technical descriptions, where 前後 helps to define relative positions. Imagine a piece of furniture with the instruction "Please leave 10 cm free in front and behind the door." Here, the word eliminates the need to repeat information, saving space and time.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember 前後 is to associate its kanjis with concrete images. Visualize 前 as something in front of you (like a post) and 後 as what is behind (your projected shadow). This mnemonic technique, supported by studies on language learning, makes it easier to retain characters with opposite meanings.

Culturally, the implicit precision in the term reflects Japanese values such as organization and predictability. Although it denotes numerical approximation, it carries a nuance of care when estimating deadlines or distances. This balance between flexibility and accuracy is typical of communication in Japan, where avoiding absolute statements is often a sign of politeness.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 前後 (Zengo) - Before and after
  • 先後 (Sengo) - Order of occurrence, taking into account the sequence
  • 前後関係 (Zengokankei) - Before and after relationship
  • 先後関係 (Sengokankei) - Sequence or order relationship
  • 前後の順序 (Zengo no junjo) - Order of before and after
  • 先後の順序 (Sengo no junjo) - Order regarding the sequence of events
  • 前後の位置 (Zengo no ichi) - Relative position of before and after
  • 先後の位置 (Sengo no ichi) - Relative position according to the sequence
  • 前後の移動 (Zengo no idou) - Before and after movement
  • 先後の移動 (Sengo no idou) - Movement considering the order of events
  • 前後の変化 (Zengo no henka) - Changes before and after
  • 先後の変化 (Sengo no henka) - Changes according to the sequence

Related words

前後

Romaji: zengo
Kana: ぜんご
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: around; all the front and back; before and back; before and after; About this (time); longitudinal; context; almost; about

Meaning in English: around;throughout;front and back;before and behind;before and after;about that (time);longitudinal;context;nearly;approximately

Definition: What comes next. What is behind you.

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How to Write in Japanese - (前後) zengo

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (前後) zengo:

Example Sentences - (前後) zengo

See below some example sentences:

前後を見てから行動してください。

Maego wo mite kara koudou shite kudasai

Please check around before taking action.

Please look back and forth before acting.

  • 前後 (zen-go) - means "front and back" in Japanese
  • を (wo) - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
  • 見て (mite) - verb form of "mirar" in Japanese
  • から (kara) - means "after" in Japanese
  • 行動 (koudou) - means "action" in Japanese
  • して (shite) - verb form of "to do" in Japanese
  • ください (kudasai) - Japanese expression of request, meaning "please"

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

前後