JLPT N5 · Japanese kanji
先 — before
- Reading
- セン・さき・ま.ず
- Meaning
- before; ahead; previous; future; precedence
- JLPT level
- N5
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
先 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N5 level. Its primary reading is セン・さき・ま.ず and it means before; ahead; previous; future; precedence. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
先 appears in everyday japanese words such as 先 (the future), 優先 (preference) and 先に (before).
Japanese words containing 先
Frequently asked questions
What does 先 mean in Japanese?
先 means before; ahead; previous; future; precedence in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N5 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 先 read?
先 is read セン・さき・ま.ず. Reading it inside real words — 先 and 優先 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 先 — is it JLPT N5?
Yes. 先 is on the official JLPT N5 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 先 in a word?
A common word containing 先 is 先 (さき) — "the future". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 先 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 先 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N5 kanji
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