先

On'yomi

セン

SEN

Kun'yomi

さき・ま.ず

saki / mazu

before · ahead · previous · future · precedence

Details

Strokes6

Frequency#173

Radical儿legs(2)

Stroke Order

Strokes6

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of '之' (advance) and '儿' (person). Going ahead of others.

Symbolism

Leadership, priority, ancestors. Also represents respect for past wisdom.

Related Culture & Scenes

— Looking toward the future

Words & Expressions

Words written with 先

先生せんせいsensei

先輩せんぱいsenpai

宛先あてさきaddress

祖先そせんancestor

優先ゆうせんprecedence

Four-Character Compounds

先祖伝来

せんぞでんらい

inherited; family (heirloom); ancestral

祖先崇拝

そせんすうはい

ancestor worship

率先躬行

そっせんきゅうこう

taking a lead in (doing); setting an example of (doing)

祖先伝来

そせんでんらい

hereditary

舌先三寸

したさきさんずん

eloquence or flattery designed to deceive

先制攻撃

せんせいこうげき

preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike

先手必勝

せんてひっしょう

victory goes to the one who makes the first move; being quick to take action leads to victory; the early bird gets the worm

先憂後楽

せんゆうこうらく

worrying before one's people worry, enjoying oneself only after one's people have enjoyed themselves (a precept to be observed by a ruler)

率先垂範

そっせんすいはん

set an example worth following; take the initiative in doing something thereby setting an example for others to follow

先刻承知

せんこくしょうち

being already (well) aware

鼻先思案

はなさきじあん

superficial (shortsighted) way of thinking; half-baked (foolish, ill-advised) idea

Proverbs & Idioms

先んずれば人を制す

さきんずればひとをせいす

He who strikes first wins

Acting first gives you the advantage