前者(ぜんしゃ)

ぜんしゃ
noun
the former
formalabstractlanguage
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.

Formal and written; in conversation people more often say 最初(さいしょ)のほう. It pairs with 後者(こうしゃ) 'the latter'.

Common patterns

Watch out

前者(ぜんしゃ) points back to the first of exactly two items. For the first of three or more, say 最初(さいしょ)の or 一(ひと)つ目(め)の.

Related Words

Antonym: 後者(こうしゃ) (the latter)
core
Added 2026.1.12 10:13 · Revised 2026.9.29 6:04
03000/03312_zensha