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相前後する (あいぜんごする) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

相あい前ぜん後ごする

あ

い

ぜ

ん

ご

す

る

Meanings

1

suru verb (special), intransitive verb

occur one after another; happen in succession

Describes events or actions that take place in close succession, often with little time between them. Used in formal or written contexts.

事じ故こが相あい前ぜん後ごして発はっ生せいした。
Accidents occurred one after another.
二人ふたりは相あい前ぜん後ごして会かい場じょうに到とう着

ちゃく

し

た

。

The two arrived at the venue in quick succession.

Kanji

相inter-, mutual, together
前in front, before
後behind, back, later

Similar words

次つぎ々つぎに
次々に is a more common and casual adverb meaning 'one after another', while 相前後する is a formal suru verb emphasizing close succession.
連れん続ぞくして
連続して means 'continuously' or 'in a row', focusing on uninterrupted sequence, whereas 相前後する highlights events happening almost simultaneously or in rapid alternation.

Etymology

Compound of 相 (あい, mutual) + 前後 (ぜんご, before and after) + する (verbalizer). Literally 'to do mutually before and after', conveying the idea of events closely following each other.