先 Kanji – before
The Japanese kanji 先 can mean before, ahead, previous, future, precedence.
Meaning and Readings
How is 先 read?
先 has the onyomi reading セン and the kunyomi readings さき, まず.
In romaji, these readings can be written as sen, saki, mazu.
Common Japanese Words Using 先
These common Japanese words contain 先. Select linked kanji to explore their meanings and readings.
- お先に（おさきに） — before, previously
- 先（さっき） — a short while ago, a moment ago, just now, some time ago
- ペン先（ペンさき） — pen nibs
- 勤め先（つとめさき） — place of work
- 軒先（のきさき） — edge of the eaves, house frontage
- 口先（くちさき） — lip service, mere words, professions
- 行き先（いきさき） — destination
- 最先端（さいせんたん） — cutting edge, leading edge, forefront, state of the art
- 指先（ゆびさき） — fingertip, finger
- 春先（はるさき） — beginning of spring