序じょ章しょう

noun

preface; foreword; introductory chapter

Refers to the opening chapter of a book or a formal introductory section. Often used in literary or academic contexts.

• この本ほんの序じょ章しょうを読よめば、全ぜん体たいの構こう成せいがわかる。

  If you read the preface of this book, you'll understand the overall structure.

• 論ろん文ぶんの序じょ章しょうで研けん究きゅうの目もく的てきを述のべた。

  I stated the purpose of the research in the introductory chapter of the thesis.

noun

beginning; start

Figurative use for the initial stage of something, such as a project, era, or story. Less common than the literal book sense.

• これはまだ物もの語がたりの序じょ章しょうにすぎない。

  This is still just the beginning of the story.