前: the kanji for before and front
前 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means before, front. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
前 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
前 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ゼン (zen)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 午前ごぜん · gozen | a.m.; morning |
| 以前いぜん · izen | before; previously |
| 前日ぜんじつ · zenjitsu | the day before |
| 前回ぜんかい · zenkai | last time |
| 前半ぜんはん · zenhan | the first half |
| 事前じぜん · jizen | in advance |
| 直前ちょくぜん · chokuzen | just before |
| 前進ぜんしん · zenshin | progress; moving forward |
まえ (mae)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 前まえ · mae | front; before |
| 名前なまえ · namae | name |
| 前向きまえむき · maemuki | positive; forward-looking |
| 前売りまえうり · maeuri | advance sale |
| 駅前えきまえ · ekimae | in front of the station |
| 三年前さんねんまえ · sannen mae | three years ago |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 午前中に資料を送ります。Gozenchū ni shiryō o okurimasu.I'll send the materials in the morning.
- 事前にご連絡ください。Jizen ni gorenraku kudasai.Please let us know in advance.
- 前向きに検討します。Maemuki ni kentō shimasu.We'll give it positive consideration.
- お名前を教えていただけますか。Onamae o oshiete itadakemasu ka.May I have your name?
- 駅前のカフェで会いましょう。Ekimae no kafe de aimashō.Let's meet at the cafe in front of the station.
- 三年前に日本に来ました。Sannen mae ni Nihon ni kimashita.I came to Japan three years ago.
Questions about 前
How many strokes does 前 have?
前 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 前?
The on readings are zen (ゼン). The kun readings are mae (まえ).
What does 前向きに検討します mean?
It means "We will consider it positively." 前向き (maemuki) means forward-looking or positive.
What JLPT level is 前?
N5. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N5 is designed to match the former Level 4.
More JLPT N5 kanji
Days and time
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 前
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.