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.
この判決は重要な前例となるだろう。
This ruling will set an important precedent.
前例のない事態に直面している。
We are facing an unprecedented situation.
Similar to 前例, but often emphasizes a previous example that is followed or cited. Slightly more formal.
先例に従って手続きを進めます。
We will proceed according to precedent.
Specifically a legal precedent or judicial decision. Used in law contexts.
最高裁の判例を調べる。
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.
年次総会は慣例に従って6月に開催される。
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.
Standard phrase meaning 'there is no precedent' or 'unprecedented'.
これは前例のない出来事だ。
This is an unprecedented event.
A more dramatic term for 'unprecedented', often used in news for disasters or crises.
未曾有の大災害が発生した。
An unprecedented catastrophe occurred.
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.