前者(ぜんしゃ)

ぜんしゃ
noun
the former
formal
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 2026.9.2 13:01
03000/03312_zensha