前
前·front, before
- On-yomi
- ゼン
- Kun-yomi
- まえ
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 前 | まえ | front, before |
| 午前 | ごぜん | a.m. |
| 名前 | なまえ | name |
| 駅前 | えきまえ | in front of the station |
Example sentences
駅の前で待っています。
えきのまえでまっています。
I am waiting in front of the station.
午前九時に始まります。
ごぜんくじにはじまります。
It starts at 9 a.m.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 名前 as *めいぜん instead of なまえ
Memory aid
Picture it
A moon (月) and a knife (刂) under a lid: put them in front of you on the table.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 名前なまえname
- 午前ごぜんa.m., morning
- 前まえbefore, front
- 以前いぜんbefore, formerly
- 前進ぜんしんadvance, moving forward, progress
- 前者ぜんしゃthe former
- 前後ぜんごaround, before and after
- 出前でまえfood delivery (from a restaurant)
- 前進するぜんしんするto advance, to move forward
- 前述ぜんじゅつaforementioned
- 直前ちょくぜんjust before
- 手前てまえthis side, just before (a point); one's standing in others' eyes
Quick check
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What does the kanji 前 mean?