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What is the Kanji for 'Before' and 'Front'? | 前

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Before' and 'Front', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Before' and 'Front' is 前.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    Reading

    kunyomiまえ

    mae

    onyomiぜん

    zen

    Parts

    Herbs Moon, Month Sword (刀)

    Example Word

    前進: advance. The Japanese verbal noun '前進 (ぜんしん)' means 'advance' or 'progress'. It is used to describe the act of moving forward, either physically or metaphorically. This term is often used in contexts related to movement, development, or improvement. For example: The army advanced「軍隊は前進した」(ぐんたいはぜんしんした). We need to make progress in this project「このプロジェクトで前進する必要がある」(このプロジェクトでぜんしんするひつようがある). The word can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as making progress in life or in a particular field.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    9

    JLPT

    N5

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    32

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Herbs

    kanji

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

    radical

    Meaning

    Sword

    Radical Form Of

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of one other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Roast

Words Using

This kanji is used in 30 words:

    word

    Meaning

    Before, Front

    word

    御前

    Meaning

    You

    word

    名前

    Meaning

    Name

    word

    以前

    Meaning

    Before, Previously

    word

    昼前

    Meaning

    Before noon

    word

    前後

    Meaning

    Approximately, Before and after

    word

    前提

    Meaning

    Premise

    word

    当たり前

    Meaning

    Natural, Obvious

    word

    午前

    Meaning

    Morning, AM

    word

    前回

    Meaning

    Last time

    word

    前期

    Meaning

    First half

    word

    前述

    Meaning

    Aforementioned

    word

    直前

    Meaning

    Just before

    word

    事前

    Meaning

    Advance, Prior

    word

    前進

    Meaning

    Advance

    word

    手前

    Meaning

    Oneself, Front

    word

    前半

    Meaning

    First half

    word

    戦前

    Meaning

    Prewar

    word

    前者

    Meaning

    Former

    word

    前方

    Meaning

    Front

    word

    前掲

    Meaning

    Aforementioned

    word

    前向き

    Meaning

    Positive

    word

    人前

    Meaning

    Public

    word

    前もって

    Meaning

    Beforehand

    word

    出前

    Meaning

    Delivery

    word

    前日

    Meaning

    Previous day

    word

    前売り券

    Meaning

    Advance, Ticket

    word

    前年

    Meaning

    Previous year

    word

    建て前

    Meaning

    Principle, Facade

    word

    駅前

    Meaning

    Station front

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 7 kanji contain the part 䒑 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Neck

    kanji

    Meaning

    Business

    kanji

    Meaning

    Line, Row

    kanji

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hill

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 34 kanji contain the part 月 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Morning

    kanji

    Meaning

    Bright

    kanji

    Meaning

    Use

    kanji

    Meaning

    Exist

    kanji

    Meaning

    Victory

    kanji

    Meaning

    Obey, Clothing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ritual

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hope, Ambition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Raise, Grow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Time, Period

    kanji

    Meaning

    Scatter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chest, Breast

    kanji

    Meaning

    Abdomen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stomach

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pig, Pork

    kanji

    Meaning

    Swell

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fatten, Fertilize

    kanji

    Meaning

    Trunk

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ability, Arm

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vein, Pulse

    kanji

    Meaning

    Membrane

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lazy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rise, Inflation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Placenta, Membranous sac

    kanji

    Meaning

    Clear, Cheerful

    kanji

    Meaning

    Copy, Mimeograph

    kanji

    Meaning

    Emporer, Majestic plural, Imperial we

    kanji

    Meaning

    Armpit

    kanji

    Meaning

    Tray, Small low table

    kanji

    Meaning

    Kidney

    kanji

    Meaning

    Arm, Elbow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cowardice

    kanji

    Meaning

    Swelling, Tumor

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 26 kanji contain the part 刂 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Return

    kanji

    Meaning

    Profit, Advantage

    kanji

    Meaning

    Separate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reach, Arrival

    kanji

    Meaning

    System, Control

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Divide, Split

    kanji

    Meaning

    Judge, Stamp

    kanji

    Meaning

    File

    kanji

    Meaning

    Secondary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sword

    kanji

    Meaning

    Printing

    kanji

    Meaning

    Publish, Edition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Engrave

    kanji

    Meaning

    Drama

    kanji

    Meaning

    Create

    kanji

    Meaning

    Punish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plane, Cut by chipping

    kanji

    Meaning

    Surplus

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stab

    kanji

    Meaning

    Group, Squad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Divide, Cut up

    kanji

    Meaning

    Medicine, Dose

    kanji

    Meaning

    Reap, Clip

    kanji

    Meaning

    Strength, Sturdy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Temple

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 前 mean?

前 means 'Before' and 'Front'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N5 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.