also: せんぷ · せんまけ · さきまけ
unlucky in the morning, lucky in the afternoon; day to avoid judgment and haste
One of the six traditional calendar days (六曜). Considered inauspicious in the morning but auspicious later in the day. Often consulted for timing of events like weddings or business openings. The second gloss reflects a broader interpretation of the day's character.
See also: 六曜
When choosing a wedding date, many people avoid the morning on a 先負 day.
After checking the calendar for a 先負 day, I scheduled the important meeting for the afternoon.
The most inauspicious day in the 六曜 cycle, considered unlucky all day, contrasting with 先負's mixed fortune.
Standard kanji form; reading せんぶ is the most common modern pronunciation.
Alternate reading; less common than せんぶ but still encountered.
Rare reading; may appear in older or regional contexts.
Rare reading; may appear in older or regional contexts.
The term 先負 literally means 'before defeat' or 'lose first', reflecting the belief that the morning is unlucky but the afternoon is lucky. It is part of the imported Chinese 六曜 system, adapted into Japanese culture for selecting auspicious dates.