Expressions· 9 先せん の 先せん striking just before the opponent's move 対たい の 先せん striking while defending; countering an opponent's attack 待たい の 先せん seizing the initiative by counterattacking 懸けん の 先せん seizing the initiative by attacking first Show 3 more Show fewer 体たい 々たい の 先せん answering an opponent's attack with an unwavering strike ここを 先せん 途ど と fervently; desperately; with full resolve See all 9 in Explore →
Related words 前まえ 前 means 'before' in time or space and is more general; 先 emphasizes 'former' or 'previous' in a sequence, often with a nuance of being replaced.
元もと 元 also means 'former' but is more common for people (元彼 , 元社長 ) and implies a past state that has ended; 先 is more neutral and can be used for things like addresses or versions.
Word family· 117 priority; preference; precedence
senior; superior; elder; older person; predecessor
the other day; a few days ago; recently
go ahead; go first; precede in movement · preceding; prior; ahead of its time · score first; take an early lead · stalker; pace-stalking running style
last week; the week before
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advanced; developed · senior; elder; superior
head; front; lead; forefront; vanguard
tip; point; pointed end · forefront; leading edge; vanguard
going first; starting ahead; departing in advance · starting in a game; being in the starting lineup; starting pitcher
ancestor; forefather; foremother
preemptive action; taking the initiative; head start
ancestor; forebear
arriving first; first come, first served
previous head of a family; previous generation (of a family); one's (late) father · predecessor · previous age; previous generation (era)
indigenous people; native people; aborigines
moving first; first move · forestalling; seizing the initiative · sente (Go/shogi); initiative-forcing move
guidance; leadership; leading the way
forerunner; precursor; pioneer; leader · outrider; advance guard
predecessor; pioneer; ancestor
taking the initiative; leading the way
innate; inherent; congenital
the other party; the other side; they · destination; the place at the other end · ahead; in front
foresight; anticipation; foreseeing
precedent; prior example
aforementioned; above-mentioned
radical; sharp; acute
vanguard; advance guard
original inhabitant; aboriginal; indigenous · previous priest; former priest
settling first; deciding first; first priority
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Written forms 先せん Usage 77%
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
せん Usage 23%
Etymology The kanji 先 means 'ahead' or 'previous'. The reading せん is the on'yomi, used in many compounds. The exact historical derivation of this standalone noun usage is uncertain, but it follows the general meaning of 'prior' or 'former'.
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