Keyword
before (timewise)
Info
FrequencyTop 100
Type
Kyōiku (1st grade) 
?
KankenLevel 10
Heisig263
Readings
せん
(57%)
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)
last week; the week before
maximum preference; maximum priority; priority handling
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
arrowhead; target of a flying arrow; brunt (of an attack); the very moment (when); the point (of doing)
a short while ago; already
to be forward; to be impertinent
tip of tongue
taking the initiative
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
to lead; to take the initiative; to take precedence (e.g. sadness taking precedence over anger); to be most essential
going on ahead; forestalling; anticipating; arrival before another
before; previously; ahead; Pardon me for leaving (before you)
toes; tips of the toes; toe of a shoe, sock, etc.
to take the lead; to lead a group; to be in the vanguard
(a) step ahead; (a) jump ahead
doctors; teachers
storefront; shopfront
tip; end; point
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
deciding first; settling (a matter) first; first priority
priority; order of precedence
entrance; front door
from now on; in the future; hereafter; ahead of us; down the road
vanguard; advance guard
the preceding visitor
school principal; school headmaster; school headmistress
cutting edge; leading edge; forefront; tip; end
to hurry; to hasten
since some time ago; for some time; for quite a while
part-time employer; place where one works part-time
to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
part of the feet from the ankles to the tips of the toes
to forestall; to beat to the punch; to anticipate; to play the first move (e.g. in go)
before one's eyes; under one's nose; immediate (e.g. interests); present; foresight; near future
preconception; preconceived notion; prejudice
point of a sword
a long way off; matter for the future; not going to happen anytime soon
in front of one's eyes; just nearby; within a stone's throw
to take the initiative; to forestall; to beat to the punch
customer; client; client company; business connection; trade partner
first (of all); firstly; probably; most likely; more or less (satisfactory); on the whole
self first; striving to be first; scrambling for
to go ahead; to pull ahead
first move (in go, shogi, etc.); moving first; person with the first move; forestalling; (seizing the) initiative
tip of an ear (of wheat, etc.); tip (of a brush, spear, etc.); point; spearhead
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
destination; place one stays during a trip
predecessor; pioneer; ancestor
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
putting off (doing); postponement; delaying
part of the garden close to the house; nearby garden
ahead; before; the future
advance guard; vanguard; athlete who competes in the first match of a team competition (kendo, judo, etc.)
edge of the eaves; house frontage
beginning of spring
foreseeing; anticipating; lookahead; prefetching; reading ahead
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
class teacher; homeroom teacher; form teacher
leader; pioneer; guide; leader (in Shugendō)
the future; future prospects
pardon me for leaving (first)
lip service; mere words; professions; lips; mouth; snout
head start; initiative; preemption
everywhere; everywhere one goes; wherever one goes
previous engagement; prior contract
preliminary announcement; previous announcement; portent; sign; forewarning
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
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
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
to worry about the future
inborn; innate; inherent; a priori
to take the initiative
starting in advance; starting first; going first; starting (in team sports)
ancestral; hereditary; generation after generation; passing from father to son
victory goes to the one who makes the first move; being quick to take action leads to victory; the early bird gets the worm
just when (one is about to ...); just as; the very moment when; on the point of
advanced; developed; seniority; senior; superior
degree of relative priority
place of work
family a woman has married into
matter of the highest priority; top priority; first priority
destination; whereabouts; future; prospects
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
to beat someone to the punch; to get the drop on (someone); to forestall
the late king; the preceding king; good ancient kings
in front of your nose; right next to you; tip of one's nose
address; destination
sign (of things to come); good omen; good sign
tip of the hand; (use of) one's hands; cheap trick; superficial wit; cheap; makeshift (e.g. measures)
delay; putting off; procrastination
recently; the other day
one's seniors and juniors; seniority-based hierarchy
end; tip; point
one's destination
without thinking of the consequences
advanced (developed) country; advanced nations
someone who is greatly one's senior; veteran
great teacher; great master; great author; great doctor
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
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
advance party; advance team; advance group; vanguard unit
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
batting first
indigenous people; native people; aborigines
standing on tiptoes
foresight; anticipation
payment in advance; advance payment; payment on delivery (e.g. business-reply mail, collect phone calls); forerunner
point; tip; head (of a line); front; first; before; (the way) ahead
the late emperor
hideout (e.g. of fugitive from justice); hiding place
(regular) customer; client; patron; clientele
(top of) shoulder
recently; the other day
foresight; prescience
at the very beginning; first of all; first and foremost; before anything else
pioneer; leader; taking the initiative; leading an attack; charging ahead of others (towards the enemy)
standing on tiptoes
not having long to live
lodging host; lodging place
to go first; to take the lead; to lead the way
striking just before one's opponent makes a move
seniority; predecessor
older person with more life experience
leading group (of runners in a marathon, etc.); leading pack
destination of a move
earning the first (runs); preoccupation
sequel of a story
arriving first
prior investment; upfront investment
priority; preference; preferential right; right of way
hereditary; congenital
forerunner; precursor; pioneer; outrider; outriding
part-time employer; place where one works part-time
(a) step ahead; (a) jump ahead
the head; the foremost; beginning; the very front
study abroad destination
point (of a sword, etc.); pointed verbal attack
an inch ahead; the immediate future
aforementioned; above-mentioned
pre-cum; pre-ejaculate; Cowper's fluid
to laugh scornfully; to sneer at
veranda edge
where one has gone to; place one has gone to; (outing) destination
vanguard; advance-guard point; advance detachment; vanguard; pioneer; avant-garde
being already (well) aware
destination; place where one is visiting
month before last
fighting to be first; scrambling to take the lead
inherited; family (heirloom); ancestral
(tip section of) chicken wing; second segment of chicken wing
place of refuge; refugee destination
van (of a movement); vanguard; forefront
it is no use crying over spilt milk
forwarding address
dwindling; declining; diminishing; tapering (to a point)
the other night; a few nights ago
destination; receiver's address; consignee
radical; acute; sharp
one's employer's house; one's employer; place of apprenticeship
original inhabitant; aboriginal; previous priest
eloquence or flattery designed to deceive
nozzle; muzzle; gunpoint
former wife; late wife
source (of supply); channel
teacher; previous ruler; previous lord; lord of the previous generation
guide; vanguard; leader
tip of brush
some time ago; the other day
to put on a patronizing air
order of arrival; first-come-first-served basis
address; destination
leaf apex; tip of the leaf
forestall
prehistory
forwarding address
pre-cum; pre-ejaculate; Cowper's fluid
first goal; first point
customer; client; client company; business connection; trade partner
radicalization; radicalisation; intensification; aggravation; sharpening (e.g. of an image); narrowing (of a peak)
crisis in a battle; death
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
former teacher
remaining years (of one's life)
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
inherent; innate
first of all; in the first place; to begin with; for starters
the other party (usu. in business); person or party with whom you are dealing (on the other end)
sending ahead
previous ruler; ancestors
the other party
preconception; prejudice
chest; breast
seer; pioneer; leading spirit; enlightened person
to stand on tiptoes
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
initiative; pioneering
to let (a person) pass first
pioneering; path-breaking; trailblazing
one's new address
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
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
one's mind; one's inner feelings; (a decision hinging on) how someone feels about it
futures; futures contract
question to be settled first; first consideration
preconception; prejudice
place where one works; team to which one belongs; place of employment
since a little while ago
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)
clumsy with one's hands; all thumbs
spork (spoon and fork)
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
previous existence
to go before; to precede; to forestall; to anticipate
the other day; some time ago; recently
in front of one's eyes; just nearby; within a stone's throw
to stand on tiptoes
point of a sword; forceful debate
counterattack; striking one's opponent immediately after defending an incoming attack
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
scoring the first point; winning the first game; lucky day in the morning, but not in the afternoon
ancestral spirits
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
head; lead; vanguard; first
forward price; futures price; futures quotation
advance troops; vanguard; advance contingent; leading unit
address; destination
former husband; late husband
glib tongue; eloquence or flattery designed to deceive
paying in advance; forward delivery; delivery (of freight)
to be inverted (of the order of something); to be reversed; to get mixed up; to become back to front
the one before last; two generations, etc. previous
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number); reference (e.g. personal reference)
preconception; prejudice; preoccupation
whereabouts; present location
senior official; senior members
aforementioned; above-mentioned; given above; previous
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
to have (someone) go ahead
since a little while ago
destination; receiver's address; consignee
(one's) late father
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
(arch.) leader of a nobleman's cavalcade; animal messenger of the gods (i.e. a fox)
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
ultramodern; leading
traces of a predecessor's deeds; precedent
tapering toward the end
competition (rivalry) to first (e.g. rider in a charge)
set an example worth following; take the initiative in doing something thereby setting an example for others to follow
ancient sage
point of a spear; spearhead; focus (of one's attack, criticism, etc.); aim; force (of an argument); edge
ancient wise men
indigenous rights; aboriginal rights
the other day; a few days ago
to put on an air of seniority
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
lucky day but not in the morning; day on which judgment and haste are avoided (judgement)
transcendentalism
ahead; before; the future
beyond this point; from now on; after this
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
prior research; previous work
for now; for the time being; for the present; though not quite satisfactorily; after a fashion
precedence; first move (in games)
futures market; forward market
to follow precedent
end (of a stick, rod, pole, etc.); end of a palanquin carrying pole; palanquin bearer
destination to save to; save location (for a file)
first of all; in the first place
collar points; tip of a collar
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
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
the other evening; a few nights ago
foresight; speedy comprehension
seldom; rarely; scarcely
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
the previous emperor
successive teacher; successive master
this day last week; a week ago today
predicting and striking just before one's opponent makes a move (kendo)
ancient sage (esp. Confucius)
to be a willing cats-paw; to willingly act as someone's tool
rising of the tide; a beginning
advance(d) screening (of a movie)
recipient of an order
to study under (a teacher)
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
state-of-the-art medical technology
to worry about the future
campaign stop; stop on a speaking tour
taking the initiative
one's future
taking a lead in (doing); setting an example of (doing)
taking (score) the first two points of the game
futures price; forward price; forward rate (of exchange)
preferred stock; preference shares
the wherewithal; means; the money (needed to do something)
first of all; in the first place
statutory lien; preferential right; prior claim
downstage center (noh)
Russian false yellow lupine (Thermopsis lupinoides)
giving one's family life priority over one's work
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)
row-major (e.g. vector)
to perform religious services for the departed souls of one's ancestors
to be a willing cats-paw; to willingly act as someone's tool
original drug; originator drug
to have foresight; to be farsighted; to be nimble-witted
tip (of something)
advance(d) screening (of a movie)
most important task; most pressing task; urgent business
dating forward; post-dating
column-major (e.g. vector)
right of first refusal; (right of) preemption; purchase option
ancestral; hereditary; generation after generation; passing from father to son
former post; former occupant of the post
Songun; military-first policy of North Korea
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
lead position; first position (in a string)
first in, first out; FIFO
from now on; in the future; hereafter; ahead of us; down the road
charismatic teacher; charming professor
child from an earlier wife; preceding one's master into death by committing ritual suicide (seppuku)
the wherewithal; means; the money (needed to do something)
buy in advance
skilled miner; coal-cutter
right to prior consideration
advance sale
thicker towards the end; club-shaped
ancient times
everywhere; everywhere one goes; wherever one goes
initiative; prior consideration
contact information (for inquiries) (e.g. corporate phone number); reference (e.g. personal reference)
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)
transcendental philosophy
uphill path; path or slope that becomes slowly steeper
collar points; tip of a collar
previous letter
advance payment
source of light
stock price index futures trading; stock-index futures trading; trading of stock index futures
subcontractor; outsourcing contractor
someone who became a teacher for lack of anything better to do
month before last
beyond that point; after that
past misdeed; past error; past folly; past sin
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)
formerly
to be beaten to the punch; to be overtaken
repurchase (esp. bonds, debt, etc.); buy-back
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)
reference (e.g. for a job)
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.