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Words Kanji Guides About

先端 (せんたん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

先せん端たん

せ

ん

た

ん

Common wordJLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun

tip; point; pointed end

Physical tip or pointed end of an object; also used for the cusp of a leaf or crescent moon, and the apex of a curve.

鉛えん筆ぴつの先せん端たんが折おれた。
The tip of the pencil broke.
三み日か月づきの先せん端たんが細ほそく光

ひか

っ

て

いる

。

The cusp of the crescent moon is shining thinly.

2

noun

forefront; leading edge; vanguard

Metaphorical use for the most advanced position in technology, trends, or movements.

この研けん究きゅう所じょはAI技ぎ術じゅつの先せん端たんを走はしっている。
This research institute is at the forefront of AI technology.
彼かれは常つねに流りゅう行こうの先せん端たんを行いく。
He is always on the cutting edge of fashion.

Written forms

先せん端たんUsage96%
Standard kanji spelling for both physical tip and cutting-edge meanings.
尖せん端たんUsage4%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 先端 is overwhelmingly preferred in modern writing.

Kanji

先before, ahead, previous
端edge, origin, end
尖be pointed, sharp, taper

Similar words

最さい先せん端たん
Emphasizes the very forefront or state-of-the-art, often used in technology contexts. 先端 alone is more neutral and can refer to any tip or leading edge.
先せん頭とう
Refers to the front of a line or group, not a pointed tip or technological forefront.

Etymology

Compound of 先 (saki, 'tip, ahead') and 端 (tan, 'end, edge'). The kanji combination naturally conveys both physical and metaphorical leading points.