Translation and Meaning of: 前 - sen

The Japanese word 前[せん] is an essential term for those who study the language, appearing in both everyday and formal contexts. Its main meaning is related to something that is "before" or "in front," but its applications go far beyond that. In this article, we will explore everything from the origin and writing of the kanji to its practical use in common phrases and expressions.

If you've ever wondered how to memorize this character or in what situations it appears most frequently, keep reading. Here at Suki Nihongo, we aim to provide clear and precise explanations about Japanese, and 前[せん] is one of those words that every student needs to master.

Meaning and usage of 前[せん]

The term 前[せん] carries the idea of something that is ahead, whether in space or time. It can mean "front," "before," or even "previous," depending on the context. In sentences like 前に行く (go forward) or 前に座る (sit in front), its function of indicating position is clear.

Additionally, 前 also appears in temporal expressions, such as 三日前 (three days ago). This versatility makes it a high-frequency word in Japanese, appearing in both informal conversations and more elaborate texts. It is worth noting that, although common, its use requires attention to avoid confusing it with similar terms like 先[さき], which can also indicate "front," but with different nuances.

Origin and writing of the kanji 前

The kanji 前 is composed of two main radicals: 丷 (a simplification of 八, which means "to divide") and 月 (originally representing "meat" in ancient contexts). Despite this composition, its current association with the meaning of "before" or "front" comes from a historical evolution in Chinese writing, later adapted by Japanese.

A useful tip for memorizing this character is to observe its structure: the upper part resembles a pair of horns, while the lower part refers to a precise cut. This mental image can help fix the writing, especially for those starting to learn kanji. Sources like Kanjipedia and Jisho.org confirm this decomposition, reinforcing its validity.

Curiosities and expressions with 前

In Japan, 前 is not limited to its literal use. In cultural contexts, it appears in proverbs such as 前門の虎、後門の狼 (a tiger at the front door, a wolf at the back door), illustrating the idea of danger from all directions. It is also common in the names of establishments, such as 前田 (Maeda), a surname that means "front field."

Another interesting aspect is its pronunciation. Although せん is the most well-known reading, in combinations like 前回 (last time), it is read as ぜん. This variation occurs due to the rules of rendaku, a phonetic phenomenon in Japanese that alters sounds in compound words. For those who want to sound more natural, paying attention to these changes is essential.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 先 (saki) - In front; previous; before
• 前方 (zenpou) - Direction ahead; front
• 前面 (zenmen) - Front part; frontal surface
• 前部 (zenbu) - Front part; front section of something
• 前方部 (zenpoubu) - Front part; section facing forward
• 前面部 (zenmembu) - Front part; section located at the front

前

Romaji: sen
Kana: せん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: before

Meaning in English: before

Definition: to fix or adjust. It is also on the other side or on the surface.

Example Sentences - (前) sen

See below some example sentences:

夜が更ける前に帰りたいです。

Yoru ga fukeru mae ni kaeritai desu

I want to get home before the night gets late.

I want to go home before night falls.

• 夜が更ける - night falling
• 前に - before
• 帰りたい - I want to go back
• です - is

寝る前に床を掃除することが大切です。

Neru mae ni yuka wo souji suru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to clean the floor before bed.

It is important to clean the floor before going to bed.

• 寝る前に - before bed
• 床を - the ground
• 掃除する - Clean
• ことが - is important
• 大切です - is essential

常に前向きに生きよう。

Tsuneni maemuki ni ikiyou

Let's always live positively.

Always live positively.

• 常に - always
• 前向きに - in a positive, optimistic way
• 生きよう - let's live

庁舎は市役所の前にあります。

Chousha wa shiyakusho no mae ni arimasu

The government building is opposite the town hall.

• 庁舎 - government building
• は - Topic particle
• 市役所 - town hall
• の - Possession particle
• 前 - in front
• に - Location particle
• あります - is located

建前は大切です。

Translation: "Tatemae wa taisetsu desu."

Before is important.

• 建前 (tatemae) - It means "facade" or "appearance" in Japanese, referring to how people present themselves in public or formal situations.
• は (wa) - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 大切 (taisetsu) - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb in Japanese that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence.

当たり前のことだ。

Atarimae no koto da

It's natural.

• 当たり前 - something that is obvious, natural, or expected
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• こと - thing, subject or fact
• だ - verb "to be" in the affirmative form

彼女の腕前は素晴らしいです。

Kanojo no udezuki wa subarashii desu

Your skill is wonderful.

• 彼女 - she
• の - Possessive particle
• 腕前 - skill, dexterity
• は - Topic particle
• 素晴らしい - wonderful, splendid
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

彼女は仕舞う前に部屋を片付けた。

Kanojo wa shimau mae ni heya wo katazuketa

She tidied up the room before finishing.

She cleaned the room before the end.

• 彼女 - she
• は - Topic particle
• 仕舞う - tidy, store
• 前に - before
• 部屋 - Room, living room
• を - direct object particle
• 片付けた - tidied up, organized

手遅れになる前に行動しなければならない。

Teokure ni naru mae ni koudou shinakereba naranai

You have to act before it's too late.

• 手遅れになる - means "too late," "irreversible."
• 前に - means "before".
• 行動 - means "action", "movement".
• しなければならない - means "must do", "has to do".

攻めの姿勢で前進しよう。

Seme no shisei de zenshin shiyou

We will move forward in an aggressive posture.

• 攻め - It means "attack" or "offensive" in Japanese.
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• 姿勢 - It means "posture" or "attitude" in Japanese.
• で - particle that indicates the means or method used to perform an action.
• 前進 - It means "advance" or "progress" in Japanese.
• しよう - imperative form of the verb "suru", which means "to do". In this case, the phrase means "let's make an advance with an offensive attitude".