Keyword
before (timewise)
Info
FrequencyTop 100
Type
Kyōiku (1st grade) 
?
KankenLevel 10
Heisig263
Readings
せん
(56%)
さき
(42%)
Composed of
cow
legs
Mnemonic

It's a cow with human legs! Wow! I've never seen such a creature before!

Used in kanji (6 in total)
wash
make fire by rubbing sticks
barefooted
picture title
Used in vocabulary (665 in total)
point; tip; head (of a line); front; first; before; (the way) ahead
previously; before; first; before (something or someone else); beforehand; in advance
teacher; instructor; sensei; title or form of address for a teacher, master, doctor, lawyer, etc.; intimate or teasing form of address; (arch.) one's elder
senior (at work or school); superior; elder; older graduate; progenitor; old-timer
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
the other day; a few days ago
beyond this point; from now on; after this
preference; priority; precedence
beyond that point; after that
fingertip; finger; toe tip; toe
pointed end; tip; point; forefront; vanguard; spearhead
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
head; lead; vanguard; first
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
tip of nose; before one's eyes; under one's nose; tip (of something)
maximum preference; maximum priority; priority handling
last week; the week before
ancestor; forefather; foremother
going ahead; going first; preceding; coming before; scoring first; getting off to a lead
fingers; fingertips; underling; stooge; tool
to lead; to take the lead (in doing something); to precede; to go before; to die before (esp. one's spouse, parents, etc.); to be a prerequisite
previous generation (e.g. one's parents); family predecessor; predecessor; previous age
guidance; leadership; leading the way
point (of a sword, etc.); pointed verbal attack
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
other party; other side; ahead; in front; destination
a short while ago; already
arrowhead; target of a flying arrow; brunt (of an attack); the very moment (when); the point (of doing)
to be forward; to be impertinent
taking the initiative
tip of tongue
toes; tips of the toes; toe of a shoe, sock, etc.
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
going on ahead; forestalling; anticipating; arrival before another
to lead; to take the initiative; to take precedence (e.g. sadness taking precedence over anger); to be most essential
toes; tips of the toes; toe of a shoe, sock, etc.
before; previously; ahead; Pardon me for leaving (before you)
to take the lead; to lead a group; to be in the vanguard
(a) step ahead; (a) jump ahead
doctors; teachers
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
storefront; shopfront
tip; end; point
priority; order of precedence
deciding first; settling (a matter) first; first priority
vanguard; advance guard
entrance; front door
from now on; in the future; hereafter; ahead of us; down the road
the preceding visitor
to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; tip; end
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
school principal; school headmaster; school headmistress
to hurry; to hasten
part-time employer; place where one works part-time
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
part of the feet from the ankles to the tips of the toes
point of a sword
preconception; preconceived notion; prejudice
before one's eyes; under one's nose; immediate (e.g. interests); present; foresight; near future
a long way off; matter for the future; not going to happen anytime soon
to take the initiative; to forestall; to beat to the punch
in front of one's eyes; just nearby; within a stone's throw
customer; client; client company; business connection; trade partner
self first; striving to be first; scrambling for
first (of all); firstly; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
to go ahead; to pull ahead
tip of an ear (of wheat, etc.); tip (of a brush, spear, etc.); point; spearhead
first move (in go, shogi, etc.); moving first; person with the first move; forestalling; (seizing the) initiative
to proceed with; to continue with; to move on; to go forward; to pursue
to delay; to put off; to procrastinate
edge of blade
tips of one's hair; hair ends
predecessor; pioneer; ancestor
destination; place one stays during a trip
putting off (doing); postponement; delaying
part of the garden close to the house; nearby garden
to lead; to take the lead (in doing something); to precede; to go before; to die before (esp. one's spouse, parents, etc.); to be a prerequisite
edge of the eaves; house frontage
foreseeing; anticipating; lookahead; prefetching; reading ahead
advance guard; vanguard; athlete who competes in the first match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
ahead; before; the future
beginning of spring
all talk; glib; insincere; empty; specious
preemptive strike; preemptive attack; first strike
front and rear; before and after; order; sequence; consequences; context
former; previous; old; first move (in go, shogi, etc.); opening move
leader; pioneer; guide; leader (in Shugendō)
the future; future prospects
class teacher; homeroom teacher; form teacher
pardon me for leaving (first)
lip service; mere words; professions; lips; mouth; snout
head start; initiative; preemption
everywhere; everywhere one goes; wherever one goes
preliminary announcement; previous announcement; portent; sign; forewarning
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
previous engagement; prior contract
the other day; some time ago; recently
to envision how things will turn out (usu. unfortunate); to have foresight; to be able to see the future
to worry about the future
to take the initiative
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
inborn; innate; inherent; a priori
victory goes to the one who makes the first move; being quick to take action leads to victory; the early bird gets the worm
starting in advance; starting first; going first; starting (in team sports)
ancestral; hereditary; generation after generation; passing from father to son
just when (one is about to ...); just as; the very moment when; on the point of
degree of relative priority
advanced; developed; seniority; senior; superior
the late king; the preceding king; good ancient kings
matter of the highest priority; top priority; first priority
family a woman has married into
place of work
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
to beat someone to the punch; to get the drop on (someone); to forestall
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
in front of your nose; right next to you; tip of one's nose
tip of the hand; (use of) one's hands; cheap trick; superficial wit; cheap; makeshift (e.g. measures)
address; destination
sign (of things to come); good omen; good sign
delay; putting off; procrastination
one's seniors and juniors; seniority-based hierarchy
recently; the other day
without thinking of the consequences
one's destination
end; tip; point
advanced (developed) country; advanced nations
someone who is greatly one's senior; veteran
receiving in advance (e.g. wages, interest); taking before others; anticipation; being ahead of (e.g. the times); prefetch; anticipatory completion (i.e. finishing another's sentence)
ahead; further on; beyond (this place); before this; prior to this; earlier
great teacher; great master; great author; great doctor
advance party; advance team; advance group; vanguard unit
before or since; neither before nor after; no other time in one's life; stressing a particular moment or event as being unique or most extreme
bow (of a ship); prow
former years; formerly; a few years ago
first of all; to begin with; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
place of employment
to be the first
pioneer; trailblazer; leader; groundbreaker; pathfinder; forerunner
indigenous people; native people; aborigines
batting first
standing on tiptoes
payment in advance; advance payment; payment on delivery (e.g. business-reply mail, collect phone calls); forerunner
foresight; anticipation
the late emperor
point; tip; head (of a line); front; first; before; (the way) ahead
hideout (e.g. of fugitive from justice); hiding place
foresight; prescience
(regular) customer; client; patron; clientele
recently; the other day
not having long to live
(top of) shoulder
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
standing on tiptoes
pioneer; leader; taking the initiative; leading an attack; charging ahead of others (towards the enemy)
lodging host; lodging place
to go first; to take the lead; to lead the way
leading group (of runners in a marathon, etc.); leading pack
striking just before one's opponent makes a move
seniority; predecessor
destination of a move
older person with more life experience
earning the first (runs); preoccupation
sequel of a story
priority; preference; preferential right; right of way
arriving first
prior investment; upfront investment
part-time employer; place where one works part-time
hereditary; congenital
forerunner; precursor; pioneer; outrider; outriding
(a) step ahead; (a) jump ahead
the head; the foremost; beginning; the very front
an inch ahead; the immediate future
point (of a sword, etc.); pointed verbal attack
study abroad destination
aforementioned; above-mentioned
pre-cum; pre-ejaculate; Cowper's fluid
to laugh scornfully; to sneer at
vanguard; advance-guard point; advance detachment; vanguard; pioneer; avant-garde
veranda edge
where one has gone to; place one has gone to; (outing) destination
being already (well) aware
destination; place where one is visiting
fighting to be first; scrambling to take the lead
month before last
inherited; family (heirloom); ancestral
place of refuge; refugee destination
it is no use crying over spilt milk
van (of a movement); vanguard; forefront
(tip section of) chicken wing; second segment of chicken wing
dwindling; declining; diminishing; tapering (to a point)
forwarding address
original inhabitant; aboriginal; previous priest
the other night; a few nights ago
radical; acute; sharp
destination; receiver's address; consignee
one's employer's house; one's employer; place of apprenticeship
eloquence or flattery designed to deceive
former wife; late wife
nozzle; muzzle; gunpoint
source (of supply); channel
guide; vanguard; leader
tip of brush
teacher; previous ruler; previous lord; lord of the previous generation
to put on a patronizing air
some time ago; the other day
order of arrival; first-come-first-served basis
address; destination
prehistory
forestall
leaf apex; tip of the leaf
forwarding address
pre-cum; pre-ejaculate; Cowper's fluid
first goal; first point
radicalization; radicalisation; intensification; aggravation; sharpening (e.g. of an image); narrowing (of a peak)
crisis in a battle; death
customer; client; client company; business connection; trade partner
uncertainty about the future; concern about future prospects
before or since; neither before nor after; no other time in one's life; stressing a particular moment or event as being unique or most extreme
customer; client
remaining years (of one's life)
former teacher
no one knows what the future holds; the future is a closed book; (lit.) one sun (unit of measurement) ahead is darkness
advance troops; vanguard
one's new address
the other party (usu. in business); person or party with whom you are dealing (on the other end)
first of all; in the first place; to begin with; for starters
sending ahead
inherent; innate
the other party
previous ruler; ancestors
chest; breast
preconception; prejudice
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
seer; pioneer; leading spirit; enlightened person
to stand on tiptoes
initiative; pioneering
to let (a person) pass first
pioneering; path-breaking; trailblazing
prevention is better than cure; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; look before you leap; forewarned is forearmed; a stitch in time saves nine; (lit.) a walking stick before stumbling
one's new address
one's mind; one's inner feelings; (a decision hinging on) how someone feels about it
front palanquin bearer; flunky; cat's-paw; tool
the head; the foremost; beginning; the very front
sign (of things to come); good omen; good sign
question to be settled first; first consideration
preconception; prejudice
futures; futures contract
since a little while ago
place where one works; team to which one belongs; place of employment
clumsy with one's hands; all thumbs
priority seat; courtesy seat; seat provided in trains, buses, etc. for the use of the disabled, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, etc.
one never knows (what will happen); there's no telling (what the future holds)
prehistoric era; prehistoric times; prehistory
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
first goal; first point
spork (spoon and fork)
previous existence
the other day; some time ago; recently
in front of one's eyes; just nearby; within a stone's throw
to go before; to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
counterattack; striking one's opponent immediately after defending an incoming attack
scoring the first point; winning the first game; lucky day in the morning, but not in the afternoon
to stand on tiptoes
point of a sword; forceful debate
before and after; earlier and later; order; occurring almost simultaneously; inversion (of order)
aichmophobia (fear of sharply pointed objects); belonephobia
first and foremost; above all; most importantly of all
ancestral spirits
head; lead; vanguard; first
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
address; destination
forward price; futures price; futures quotation
advance troops; vanguard; advance contingent; leading unit
glib tongue; eloquence or flattery designed to deceive
former husband; late husband
to be inverted (of the order of something); to be reversed; to get mixed up; to become back to front
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number); reference (e.g. personal reference)
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
preconception; prejudice; preoccupation
senior official; senior members
whereabouts; present location
paying in advance; forward delivery; delivery (of freight)
aforementioned; above-mentioned; given above; previous
(one's) late father
front lines; vanguard
divine pronouncement (esp. in Tenri and Ōmoto)
seldom; rarely; scarcely
appetizer; later date; post-dating (e.g. a letter or cheque)
flames; forefront of fire; flame tips
buying futures; speculation
since a little while ago
to have (someone) go ahead
destination; receiver's address; consignee
the place where one is sent on an errand
destination (of a delivery); consignee
lead car; leading car
learned man; pioneer
previous preconception; previous engagement
direction of a current; course of a ship
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
former master; late master
fighting to be first; scrambling to take the lead
ultramodern; leading
(arch.) leader of a nobleman's cavalcade; animal messenger of the gods (i.e. a fox)
to put on an air of seniority
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
traces of a predecessor's deeds; precedent
competition (rivalry) to first (e.g. rider in a charge)
tapering toward the end
set an example worth following; take the initiative in doing something thereby setting an example for others to follow
the other day; a few days ago
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
ancient sage
do not shoot straight for the top; he that would the daughter win, must with the mother first begin; (lit.) if you want to shoot the general, first shoot his horse
ancient wise men
indigenous rights; aboriginal rights
lucky day but not in the morning; day on which judgment and haste are avoided (judgement)
transcendentalism
beyond this point; from now on; after this
ahead; before; the future
even game (esp. in go)
last time; the last; the preceding
appetizer; later date; post-dating (e.g. a letter or cheque)
(more) experienced mother
precedence; first move (in games)
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
prior research; previous work
to follow precedent
futures market; forward market
end (of a stick, rod, pole, etc.); end of a palanquin carrying pole; palanquin bearer
first of all; in the first place
destination to save to; save location (for a file)
pioneer; leader; taking the initiative; leading an attack; charging ahead of others (towards the enemy)
to have foresight; to be farsighted; to be nimble-witted
collar points; tip of a collar
recipient; receiving side; place or person that receives something
pre-existence
pre-Qin period (of China)
uphill path; path or slope that becomes slowly steeper
dismounting place
employer from whom one has received a unofficial offer of employment; prospective employer
seldom; rarely; scarcely
foresight; speedy comprehension
the other evening; a few nights ago
flunky; cat's-paw; tool; person whose services are at the disposal of another
the head; the foremost; beginning; the very front
tolerable; passable; adequate; so-so
successive teacher; successive master
the previous emperor
this day last week; a week ago today
predicting and striking just before one's opponent makes a move (kendo)
to be a willing cats-paw; to willingly act as someone's tool
ancient sage (esp. Confucius)
recipient of an order
to study under (a teacher)
to worry about the future
state-of-the-art medical technology
rising of the tide; a beginning
campaign stop; stop on a speaking tour
advance(d) screening (of a movie)
receiving in advance (e.g. wages, interest); taking before others; anticipation; being ahead of (e.g. the times); prefetch; anticipatory completion (i.e. finishing another's sentence)
academic predecessor; scholars of the past; senior scholar
taking a lead in (doing); setting an example of (doing)
one's future
taking the initiative
preferred stock; preference shares
the wherewithal; means; the money (needed to do something)
first of all; in the first place
taking (score) the first two points of the game
futures price; forward price; forward rate (of exchange)
Russian false yellow lupine (Thermopsis lupinoides)
most important task; most pressing task; urgent business
original drug; originator drug
tip (of something)
striking one's opponent while defending from their attack
worrying before one's people worry, enjoying oneself only after one's people have enjoyed themselves (a precept to be observed by a ruler)
giving one's family life priority over one's work
to perform religious services for the departed souls of one's ancestors
row-major (e.g. vector)
advance(d) screening (of a movie)
to be a willing cats-paw; to willingly act as someone's tool
to have foresight; to be farsighted; to be nimble-witted
statutory lien; preferential right; prior claim
dating forward; post-dating
downstage center (noh)
from now on; in the future; hereafter; ahead of us; down the road
thicker towards the end; club-shaped
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
lead position; first position (in a string)
right of first refusal; (right of) preemption; purchase option
Songun; military-first policy of North Korea
ancestral; hereditary; generation after generation; passing from father to son
charismatic teacher; charming professor
column-major (e.g. vector)
first in, first out; FIFO
former post; former occupant of the post
previous letter
receiving in advance (e.g. wages, interest); taking before others; anticipation; being ahead of (e.g. the times); prefetch; anticipatory completion (i.e. finishing another's sentence)
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number); reference (e.g. personal reference)
ancient times
stock price index futures trading; stock-index futures trading; trading of stock index futures
source of light
buy in advance
initiative; prior consideration
advance payment
uphill path; path or slope that becomes slowly steeper
transcendental philosophy
right to prior consideration
someone who became a teacher for lack of anything better to do
subcontractor; outsourcing contractor
past misdeed; past error; past folly; past sin
month before last
advance sale
beyond that point; after that
to be beaten to the punch; to be overtaken
reference (e.g. for a job)
skilled miner; coal-cutter
the wherewithal; means; the money (needed to do something)
collar points; tip of a collar
everywhere; everywhere one goes; wherever one goes
child from an earlier wife; preceding one's master into death by committing ritual suicide (seppuku)
taking the initiative
tip (of a brush, spear, etc.); point; spearhead
first of all; in the first place
first of all; in the first place
first of all; in the first place
first of all; in the first place
the head; the foremost; beginning; the very front
since a little while ago
initiative; pioneering
appetizer; later date; post-dating (e.g. a letter or cheque)
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number); reference (e.g. personal reference)
whereabouts; present location
uphill path; path or slope that becomes slowly steeper
collar points; tip of a collar
brush tip
flunky; cat's-paw; tool; person whose services are at the disposal of another
a short while ago
prior to; before; in advance of; the other day; some time ago; recently
dating forward; post-dating
swordtip squid (Photololigo edulis)
repurchase (esp. bonds, debt, etc.); buy-back
formerly
payment in advance
lower future quotations
higher future quotations
borrowing in advance
kick-off (esp. rugby)
forestalling; anticipating
starting pitcher
deceased father
next door but one; (a house) two doors away
(one's) late mother
previous wife; late wife
destination (of transmission)
priority treatment; preferential treatment
preferred foreign currency
yarn dyeing; thread dyeing; prior dyeing of thread before cloth is woven
yarn dyeing; thread dyeing; prior dyeing of thread before cloth is woven
holder of preferred stock
teachers statement (expounding)
acuminate (i.e. sharp shape of leaf); apiculate
industrialized countries; industrialised countries
government bond futures
transaction with repurchase agreement
a glib tongue (with fair words); fluent talk designed to deceive; talk something away
the market trend in the near future
first-to-file principle (in patent law); first-to-file system
first-to-invent principle (in patent law); first-to-invent system
what has been (orally) handed down from generation to generation; legend; folk tale
last in, first out; LIFO
superficial (shortsighted) way of thinking; half-baked (foolish, ill-advised) idea
superficial (shortsighted) way of thinking; half-baked (foolish, ill-advised) idea
reference (e.g. on CV, resume)
pre-Jomon period (i.e. the preceramic period)
billing address (e.g. credit card)
archiving destination
destination address
pushdown list; pushdown stack
expedited (N)-service-data-unit; (N)-expedited-data-unit
pictures of ancient wise men (name of a book)
pictures of ancient wise men (name of a book)
key customers; key customer; major clients; major client
substances requiring priority action (with regard to environmental issues); priority substance
substances requiring priority action (with regard to environmental issues); priority substance
language being translated to; target language
right of prior use; prior use rights; prior user rights
groove (in welding)
stock futures trading; stock futures transaction
synchronization destination
anticipation of a fall (in prices); prediction of a price drop
symplesiomorphy; ancestral trait shared by two or more taxa
plesiomorphy; ancestral character
original drug; originator drug
payment in advance (by bank transfer)
payment in advance (by bank transfer)
the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long; (lit.) the well with sweet water will be the first to run dry
putting the cart before the horse; (lit.) putting the diapers on before (the baby) is born
putting the cart before the horse; (lit.) putting the diapers on before (the baby) is born
I don't fall for flattery; (lit.) (I'm) not so stupid that being called "sensei" (makes me feel good)
teacher; instructor; master; previous existence
seizing the initiative by attacking first
seizing the initiative by counterattacking
answering one's opponent's attack with an unwavering strike
pre-printing (e.g. one specific ink before the others)
Amami tip-nosed frog (Odorrana amamiensis)
Ryukyu tip-nosed frog (Odorrana narina)
Examples (200 in total)
"Are you a teacher?" "Yes!"
I know you're a teacher.
You'd make a good teacher.