also: まえさく
noun
previous work; preceding work; previous title; previous release
Only with reading ぜんさく
Refers to a creator's earlier work, such as a previous book, film, album, or game. Commonly used in reviews and discussions of artists' output.
この監督の前作はとても評判が良かった。
This director's previous work was very well received.
前作を読んでから、この新作
You'll enjoy this new work more if you read the previous one first.
noun
first crop; preceding crop
Agricultural term for the first crop grown in a double-cropped field, before the second crop is planted. Not commonly used in everyday conversation.
この地域では、前作に小麦を栽培した後、大豆を作付けします。
In this region, after growing wheat as the preceding crop, they plant soybeans.
Compound of 前 (previous) and 作 (work, produce). The agricultural sense extends the idea of 'previous production' to crops.