先

JLPT N5

Previous, ahead, first

Readings

On’yomi: セン (sen)

Kun’yomi: さき, ま（ず） (saki, mazu)

• さき (saki) → ahead, previous, tip, destination • ま（ず） (mazu) — rarely used in some compounds

Structure

Strokes: 6

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

先

さき

ahead

先生

せんせい

teacher

先週

せんしゅう

last week

先月

せんげつ

last month

先に

さきに

ahead of time

Example Sentences

先に行ってください。

さきにいってください。

Please go ahead.

先生に質問します。

せんせいにしつもんします。

I ask the teacher a question.

先週旅行しました。

せんしゅうりょこうしました。

I traveled last week.

先月忙しかったです。

せんげついそがしかったです。

I was busy last month.

先に終わらせます。

さきにおわらせます。

I finish it ahead of time.

Cultural Note

1. Respect for Seniors and Teachers
o 先 appears in words like 先生 (teacher) and 先輩 (senior), reflecting Japan’s hierarchical respect system.
o Being “ahead” in knowledge or experience gives social respect.
2. Time Awareness
o Words like 先ほど, 先週, 先に show attention to time order, an important aspect of polite communication.
3. Leadership and Progress
o 先 is also used to express being in the forefront, such as 先進国 (advanced nation) or 先行研究 (preceding research), reflecting cultural value for innovation and initiative.