先
Meanings
Physical extremity of something long or pointed: the tip of a pen, the end of a rope, the nozzle of a hose.
The pen tip broke.
Please put the end of the hose into the bucket.
The front or leading position in a line, queue, or procession.
Please line up at the front of the queue.
Spatial or temporal forwardness: what lies ahead, the first to do something, or the way ahead. Often used with に or を.
He left the house first.
The road ahead gets narrow.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
What lies ahead in time; the future. Often used in expressions like この先 or 先のことを考える.
No one knows what the future holds.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Something that came before in time or order: a previous event, a prior notice, the last time. Often used attributively with の.
It was decided at the previous meeting.
I met him last Sunday.
The place one is heading to, or where an action takes place. Common as a suffix: 旅行先 (travel destination), 連絡先 (contact address), 出張先 (business trip destination).
I sent a postcard from my travel destination.
Please tell me your contact address.
rest; continuation; remaining part
What follows or remains: the rest of a story, the continuation of an event. Often used in phrases like 先はまた明日 (the rest is for tomorrow).
I'm curious about the rest of the story.
The other person or side in an interaction, especially in formal or business contexts. Often used as 先方 or in set phrases like 先の意向.
I will reply after confirming the other party's intentions.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉の先に〈物〉があるthere is something beyond a place
There is a big park beyond the bridge.
- 先に〈動詞〉to do something first / ahead of others
I'll leave the office first.
- 〈人〉に先を越されるto be beaten to it by someone
He beat me to it.
- 〈事〉の先が見えないthe future of something is uncertain; no end in sight
There's no end in sight to this recession.
- 先の〈事〉the previous ...
It was decided at the previous meeting.
- 〈事〉の先を聞くto hear the rest of a story
Please tell me the rest of the story.