Japanese Kanji

sen

before · ahead · previous

Grade 1 · JLPT N4 · 6 strokes

Readings

  • ONセンsen
  • KUNさきsaki
  • KUNま.ずma

Meaning

Before, ahead, previous, future, precedence.

Stroke order for 先

先 is taught in grade 1 of Japanese elementary school — one of the earliest kanji children learn. In the JLPT proficiency test it appears at N4 (elementary) level. With 6 strokes, this character appears in numerous compound words throughout written Japanese.

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