What is the Kanji for "Before" and "Front"?

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".

This kanji has 2 readings:

Its kunyomi reading is "Mae".

Its onyomi reading is "Zen".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 3 parts:

The radical "䒑" means "Herbs" . The kanji "月" means "Moon" and "Month" and can be read as "Tsuki", "Getsu", and "Gatsu". And The radical "刂" means "Sword" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "前" mean in japanese?

"前" means "Before" and "Front".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

前: "Front". The Japanese noun '前 (まえ)' means 'front'. This word can be used to refer to the forward part or direction of something, as well as the space or area in front of an object or person. It can also be used to indicate the time before a certain event or point in time. For example: In front of the store - (店の前), Before the exam - (試験の前)

御前: "You". The pronoun '御前 (おまえ)' is a relatively direct and informal way to refer to the person you are speaking to, meaning 'you'. It is considered more casual and sometimes impolite, so it is usually used between friends, family members or when speaking to someone of lower social status. It should be avoided in formal situations. For example: Hey, you! - (おまえ、ほら!). I'm talking to you - (おまえに話しかけているのだ).

名前: "Name". The Japanese noun '名前 (なまえ)' refers to the name of a person, place, or thing. It is used to identify and distinguish one entity from others. For example: What is your name? - (あなたの名前は何ですか). My name is Takeshi - (私の名前は武です).

以前: "Before". The noun '以前 (いぜん)' means 'before'. It refers to a time or period that occurred prior to the current time or situation. It can be used to describe an event, action, or state that took place in the past. For example: Before, I used to go to the park every day - (以前は、毎日公園に行っていました)。I visited that place before - (以前にその場所を訪れました).

昼前: "Noon". The Japanese noun '昼前 (ひるまえ)' means 'noon'. It refers to the time just before 12 o'clock in the middle of the day. For example: I'll meet you at noon - (私は昼前に会いましょう). The meeting is at noon - (会議は昼前です).

前後: "Before and after" or "Surroundings". The Japanese noun '前後 (ぜんご)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'before and after', referring to the time or sequence of events surrounding a particular point in time. For example: Before and after the accident - (事故の前後). The second meaning is 'surroundings', referring to the environment or context around something. For example: The surroundings of the house - (家の前後).

前提: "Premise". The noun '前提 (ぜんてい)' means 'premise'. It refers to a statement or a condition that is assumed to be true as the basis for an argument or a theory. It is a fundamental assumption that must be accepted in order for a reasoning or a conclusion to be valid. For example: This argument is based on the premise that all humans are mortal - (この議論は、すべての人間は死ぬというこの前提に基づいている). The presentation starts with the premise that climate change is real - (そのプレゼンテーションは、気候変動が現実であるという前提から始まる).

当たり前: "Normal". The Japanese adjectival noun '当たり前 (あたりまえ)' means 'normal'. It refers to something that is regular, common, or expected. It is often used to describe behaviors, customs, or situations that are considered typical or standard. For example: It's normal to go to work every day - (毎日仕事に行くのは当たり前だ). This is a normal occurrence - (これは当たり前のことだ).

午前: "Morning". The Japanese noun '午前 (ごぜん)' means 'morning'. This term is used to refer to the first half of the day, typically from midnight to noon. It is often used in expressions such as '午前中 (ごぜんじゅう)', which means 'in the morning'. For example: I went to the store in the morning - (私は午前中に店に行きました). The meeting is scheduled for the morning - (会議は午前に予定されています).

前回: "Previous time". The noun '前回 (ぜんかい)' means 'previous time'. It refers to an event or occurrence that happened before the current one. It is commonly used to compare or contrast the present situation with something that happened in the past. For example: I went to the same restaurant as the previous time - (前回と同じレストランに行きました). The team lost the game this time, but they won the previous game - (今回は負けたが、前回は勝った).

前期: "First half" or "Earlier period". The Japanese noun '前期 (ぜんき)' refers to the first half or earlier period of something, such as a semester, fiscal year, or other time frame. It can be used to describe the first part of a process, event, or duration. For example: The company reported strong sales in the first half of the year - (同社は前期に販売が好調だった). I'm looking forward to the first half of the concert - (私は前期のコンサートを楽しみにしています).

前述: "Previous". The Japanese noun '前述 (ぜんじゅつ)' means 'previous'. It is used to refer to something that has been mentioned or discussed before in the current context. For example: As mentioned previously - (前述のとおり). The previous chapter - (前述の章)

直前: "Immediately before". The noun '直前 (ちょくぜん)' means 'immediately before'. It refers to the time or moment that is just prior to something else occurring. This word is often used to describe the final moments or stages before an event takes place. For example: Immediately before the race started - (直前に競争が始まった). The meeting is scheduled for immediately before lunch - (直前に昼食の前に会議が予定されています).

事前: "Advance". The Japanese noun '事前 (じぜん)' means 'advance'. It refers to the period or state before an event, action, or process takes place. This word is used to indicate preparation or planning that happens before the main event. For example: We need to do advance planning for the event - (イベントのために事前の準備が必要です). I will do advance research on the topic - (その話題について事前に調査をします).

前進: "Advance". The verbal noun '前進 (ぜんしん)' means 'to advance'. This word refers to the action of moving forward or making progress. It can be used to describe physical movement, like troops advancing on the battlefield, or metaphorical advancement, like a company advancing its position in the market. For example: The army advanced on the enemy position - (軍隊は敵陣に前進した). The company is advancing its plans for expansion - (その企業は拡大の計画を前進させている).

手前: "Front" or "Near". The noun '手前 (てまえ)' refers to something that is close, near or in the front. It can be used to describe the position of an object or person relative to the speaker or a specified point of reference. For example: Please place the book on the table in front of you - (あなたの手前のテーブルに本を置いてください). He is standing right in front of me - (彼は私の手前に立っています).

前半: "First half". The Japanese noun '前半 (ぜんはん)' means 'first half'. It refers to the first part or portion of something, such as the first half of a game, a movie, or a period of time. For example: The first half of the movie was great - (映画の前半はすばらしかった). The team scored twice in the first half - (チームは前半に2点を決めた).

戦前: "Pre-war". The noun '戦前 (せんぜん)' means 'pre-war'. It refers to the period of time before World War II in Japan, typically the years from the end of World War I to the beginning of World War II. This term is used to describe the political, social, and economic conditions in Japan prior to the war. For example: The economic boom happened in the pre-war period - (戦前の時期に経済ブームがあった).

前者: "Former". The noun '前者 (ぜんしゃ)' refers to the one or the thing mentioned before, usually in a given context. It is used to contrast with something that is mentioned after, the 'latter'. For example: The former president resigned - (前者の大統領は辞任した). I prefer the former option over the latter - (私は後者よりも前者のほうが良いと思う).

前方: "Front". The Japanese noun '前方 (ぜんぽう)' means 'front'. This noun refers to the area or direction in front of something. It can be used to describe the space or location directly ahead of a person or object. For example: I looked to the front - (前方を見た). They are walking in the front - (前方を歩いている).

前掲: "Listed above". The noun '前掲(ぜんけい)' means 'listed above'. It is used to refer to information or content that has been previously mentioned or presented earlier in a document or text. For example: As mentioned 前掲 (previously listed), the sales numbers for last quarter were disappointing - (前掲の通り、前四半期の売上は残念なものでした).

前向き: "Forward". The Japanese adjectival noun '前向き (まえむき)' means 'forward'. This term refers to a positive, optimistic, and proactive attitude or mindset. It suggests a focus on progress, growth, and moving ahead rather than dwelling on the past. For example: I have a forward attitude about my career - (私の仕事に対する態度は前向きです). She has a very forward perspective on life - (彼女は人生に対して前向きな視点を持っている).

人前: "Presence" or "Public". The Japanese noun '人前 (ひとまえ)' refers to the presence or visibility of people. It can mean 'in public' or 'in front of others'. This word is used to describe situations where one's actions or behavior are observed by a group of people. For example: I don't feel comfortable speaking in people's presence - (人前で話すのが苦手です). She gave a speech in front of the whole company - (彼女は会社の人前で講演しました).

前もって: "In advance". The Japanese adverb '前もって (まえもって)' means 'in advance'. This adverb is used to indicate that something will happen or be done before a particular time or event. It expresses the idea of preparation or planning ahead. For example: I bought the tickets in advance - (私は前もって切符を買った). She arrived at the party earlier than expected, as she had planned in advance - (彼女は予定より早く到着しました。前もって計画していたので).

出前: "Delivery". The Japanese noun '出前 (でまえ)' refers to the act of having a meal delivered to one's home or place of business. This is a popular service in Japan, where restaurants and food establishments offer delivery options for customers who do not want to or cannot leave their location. For example: I ordered delivery for dinner - (夕食を出前しました). Delivery service - (出前サービス)

前日: "Previous day". The noun '前日 (ぜんじつ)' refers to the day immediately before the current day or a specific day. It is used to indicate the day that came before. For example: I went shopping the previous day - (前日に買い物に行った). The exam was on Monday, but I studied the previous day - (試験は月曜日でしたが、前日に勉強しました).

前売り券: "Advance ticket". The Japanese noun '前売り券 (まえうりけん)' refers to a ticket that is purchased in advance, before an event or performance takes place. These tickets are typically available for purchase prior to the event date, often at a discounted price compared to buying at the door. This allows people to secure their spot and avoid long lines or sold-out shows. For example: I bought advance tickets to the concert - (コンサートの前売り券を買った).

前年: "Previous year". The noun '前年 (ぜんねん)' refers to the year immediately prior to the current one. It is used to indicate the 12-month period that came before the present year. For example: Sales were higher in the previous year - (前年の売上は高かった). This year's budget is larger than the previous year's - (今年の予算は前年より大きい).

建て前: "Pretense" or "Claim". The Japanese word '建て前 (たてまえ)' is a noun that refers to a 'pretense' or 'claim' that someone makes, often in order to hide their true intentions or feelings. It implies a discrepancy between what is outwardly professed and what is actually believed or intended. For example: She was just putting up a pretense and didn't really mean what she said - (彼女は建て前を立てているだけで、本当のことを言っているわけではない). Her stated position on the issue was just a pretense - (この問題に対する彼女の主張は建て前にすぎない).

駅前: "Station front". The Japanese noun '駅前 (えきまえ)' refers to the area or space directly in front of a train or bus station. This word is commonly used to describe the commercial and pedestrian activity that often occurs in the vicinity of a major transportation hub. For example: The shops are located in the station front - (駅前にお店がある). Let's meet at the station front - (駅前で会いましょう).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "ぜ" is read as "ze". The hiragana "ん" is read as "n". The hiragana "ま" is read as "ma". And The hiragana "え" is read as "e".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.