Translation guide
How to express that something comes before another thing in time, order, or position.
the preceding chapter
Describing an event, period, or action that happens earlier than another.
Used as a noun meaning 'before' or 'previous'. Often follows a noun or verb to indicate the preceding time.
Please read the materials before the meeting.
I moved the previous week.
Often used for 'previous' in time expressions like 'last week' or 'the previous month'. Can also mean 'ahead' or 'earlier'.
Means 'just before' or 'immediately preceding'. Used for a very short time before an event.
A formal pattern meaning 'prior to' or 'preceding'. Used in official or written contexts.
Referring to something that appears earlier in a list, text, or series.
The most common way to say 'preceding' in a sequence. Can modify nouns directly.
Please look at the preceding page.
It was explained in the preceding chapter.
A more formal verb meaning 'to precede'. Often used in academic or technical contexts.
Literally 'one before', used for the immediately preceding item in a sequence.
Describing something physically in front of or before another thing.
Also used for physical position. Can mean 'in front of' or 'preceding' in a line.
The preceding car stopped suddenly.
He was walking ahead of me.
前 is the general word for 'before' in time or order. 先 often means 'previous' in fixed time expressions like 先週 (last week) or 先月 (last month), but can also mean 'ahead' or 'the future'. Be careful: 先 can also mean 'tip' or 'destination'.
the previous day
the other day (a few days ago)
The opposite of 'preceding' is 'following', which is 次 (つぎ) or 後 (あと). Make sure to use the correct word for the sequence.
the next station
I went to Kyoto last week.
It was decided at the previous meeting.
出発の直前に電話がありました。
There was a phone call just before departure.
Prior to the meeting, we will distribute the materials.
Please refer to the preceding research.
I got off at the preceding station.