いろどり
LessonsQuizFlashcardsKanjiSpeakingVerbsCan-Do
HelpSettings
RegisterSign in
Sign in
LessonsQuizFlashcardsKanjiSpeakingVerbsCan-DoSettings
← Kanji module

N5 · 6 strokes · — · Irodori #98 · Elementary 1 L1

先

ahead, before, future, precedence, previous

✏ Practice writingSRS review
Open KanjiVG SVG

Stroke diagrams © KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Readings

On’yomi
セン
Kun’yomi
さき、ま・ず

Example words

  • 先

    さき

    ahead

  • 先

    セン

    Typical reading practice — ahead

Memory aids

Guided learn session →
🧠

How to remember

👁Shape

Legs (儿) ahead of the ground (土-variant) — going first; ahead.

🧩Components

Remember "ahead" (先) by connecting it to its Irodori vocabulary context.

📖Anchor word

先週 (せんしゅう) — your first meeting with this kanji in Irodori.

🔊Readings

First learned in 先週 (せんしゅう) — recall the word to unlock the reading. Kun'yomi: さき、ま・ず — often used in native Japanese words. On'yomi: セン — common in compound words (熟語).