Translation guide
How to express the idea of a past event or decision that serves as a guide or justification for similar future situations.
Referring to a previous case that sets a standard or example for how similar situations should be handled.
The most common and direct translation for 'precedent', used in legal, business, and everyday contexts.
This ruling will set an important precedent.
We are facing an unprecedented situation.
Similar to 前例, but often emphasizes a previous example that is followed or cited. Slightly more formal.
We will proceed according to precedent.
Specifically a legal precedent or judicial decision. Used in law contexts.
Research Supreme Court precedents.
Describing a way of doing things that has become standard because it was done that way before.
Refers to customary practice or convention, often in social or organizational settings.
The annual general meeting is held in June according to precedent.
Traditional custom or convention, often with cultural or historical weight. More about unwritten rules.
Expressing that something has never happened before.
前例 (ぜんれい) is the most general term for a past case that serves as a reference. 先例 (せんれい) is similar but often implies a specific previous instance that is being followed. 慣例 (かんれい) refers to customary practice or convention, not necessarily a single event but a repeated pattern.
判例 (はんれい) specifically means a judicial precedent. Using it for general 'precedent' sounds odd.
村のしきたりで、祭りの前には必ず掃除をする。
According to village precedent, we always clean before the festival.
未曾有の大災害が発生した。
An unprecedented catastrophe occurred.