Japanese Dictionary

Meaning of (ぜん) in Japanese

JLPT 2
Kana Reading
ぜん
Romaji
zen
Word Senses
  • Parts of speech
    noun, used as a prefix
    Meaning
    the last (i.e. immediately preceding) (e.g. "the last mayor"); previous; one-time; former
  • Parts of speech
    Meaning
    (before the name of an era) pre- (e.g. "premodern")
  • Parts of speech
    nouns which may take the genitive case particle `no', noun (common) (futsuumeishi)
    Meaning
    before; earlier


Kanji in this word

JLPT 5

9 strokes

in front, before

On'Yomi: ゼン

Kun'Yomi: まえ, -まえ

Learn more