head-initial
Linguistic term describing a phrase where the head (main word) comes before its complements or modifiers, e.g., verb before object in VO languages.
English is a head-initial language.
In head-initial phrase structure, the head precedes its complement.
Opposite term: head-final, where the head follows its complements, as in Japanese.
Compound of 主要部 (head/main part) + 先導 (leading) + 型 (type/model). A calque from English 'head-initial'.