Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

先頭を切る (せんとうをきる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

先せん頭とうを切きる

せ

ん

と

う

を

き

る

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ru)

take the lead; go first; lead the way

Used when someone physically or figuratively moves ahead of others, often in a race, procession, or initiative.

彼かれは先せん頭とうを切きって走はしり出だした。
He took the lead and started running.
新しん製せい品ひんの開かい発はつで、

わが

社しゃ

が

先せん

頭とう

を

切き

っ

た

。

Our company took the lead in developing the new product.

Written forms

先せん頭とうを切きる
Standard kanji spelling.
先せん頭とうをきる
Kana spelling of the verb part; sometimes used for clarity or in informal writing.

Kanji

先before, ahead, previous
頭head, counter for large animals
切cut, cutoff, be sharp

Similar words

先せん頭とうに立たつ
Similar meaning, but 先頭に立つ emphasizes standing at the front as a leader, while 先頭を切る focuses on the action of breaking ahead or initiating movement.

Etymology

Compound of 先頭 (head, lead) + を (object marker) + 切る (cut). The phrase originally evokes cutting through to the front, i.e., breaking ahead of others.