先: the kanji for ahead and previous
先 is a JLPT N5 kanji that means ahead, previous. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
先 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
先 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).
セン (sen)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 先生せんせい · sensei | teacher |
| 先週せんしゅう · senshū | last week |
| 先月せんげつ · sengetsu | last month |
| 先日せんじつ · senjitsu | the other day |
| 先輩せんぱい · senpai | senior (colleague) |
| 先方せんぽう · senpō | the other party |
| 優先ゆうせん · yūsen | priority |
| 先頭せんとう · sentō | the front; the head |
| 先進国せんしんこく · senshinkoku | developed country |
さき (saki)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 先さき · saki | ahead; earlier |
| 取引先とりひきさき · torihikisaki | business partner; client |
| 連絡先れんらくさき · renrakusaki | contact information |
| 行き先いきさき · ikisaki | destination |
| 先にさきに · saki ni | first; ahead |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 先週、大阪に出張しました。Senshū, Ōsaka ni shutchō shimashita.I went on a business trip to Osaka last week.
- 先方に確認します。Senpō ni kakunin shimasu.I'll check with the other party.
- 連絡先を教えてください。Renrakusaki o oshiete kudasai.Please give me your contact information.
- 取引先との会議があります。Torihikisaki to no kaigi ga arimasu.I have a meeting with a client.
- お先に失礼します。Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu.Excuse me for leaving before you.
- 先日はありがとうございました。Senjitsu wa arigatō gozaimashita.Thank you for the other day.
Questions about 先
How many strokes does 先 have?
先 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 先?
The on readings are sen (セン). The kun readings are saki (さき).
What does お先に失礼します mean?
It is what you say when you leave the office before your colleagues. It means "Excuse me for leaving before you."
What JLPT level is 先?
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
People
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 先
- 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.