前者(ぜんしゃ)

ぜんしゃ
noun
the former
1. the former
The first of two things or people mentioned.
前者(ぜんしゃ)は正(ただ)しいが、後者(こうしゃ)は間違(まちが)っている。
The former is correct, but the latter is wrong.
AとBがあり、前者(ぜんしゃ)が好(す)きだ。
There's A and B, and I prefer the former.
前者(ぜんしゃ)を選(えら)ぶ人(ひと)が多(おお)い。
Many people choose the former.
前者(ぜんしゃ)は安(やす)いが品質(ひんしつ)が低(ひく)く、後者(こうしゃ)は高(たか)いが長持(ながも)ちする。
The former is cheap but low quality, while the latter is expensive but long-lasting.
二(ふた)つの方法(ほうほう)を比(くら)べたが、前者(ぜんしゃ)のほうが効率(こうりつ)がいいと思(おも)う。
I compared the two methods, and I think the former is more efficient.

前者(ぜんしゃ) is used in formal or written contexts to refer to the first of two items mentioned.

USAGE:
Typically used in conjunction with 後者(こうしゃ) (the latter) when discussing two alternatives.

COMMON PATTERN:
「AとBでは、前者(ぜんしゃ)は〜で、後者(こうしゃ)は〜だ」
(Between A and B, the former is ~, and the latter is ~)

Related Words

Antonym: 後者(こうしゃ) (the latter)
core
Added 2026.1.12 10:13 · Revised 2026.5.25 6:24
03000/03312_zensha