先頭(せんとう)

せんとう
noun
head, lead, front
1. head, lead, front position
The foremost position in a line, group, or race; the front or leading position.
列(れつ)の先頭(せんとう)に並(なら)んだ。
I lined up at the front of the line.
彼(かれ)は先頭(せんとう)を走(はし)っている。
He is running in the lead.
先頭(せんとう)車両(しゃりょう)に乗(の)った。
I got on the front car (of the train).
先頭車両 = front car/lead car

先頭(せんとう) refers to being at the front or in the lead, whether physically in a line, in a race, or figuratively in leadership.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 先頭(せんとう)に立(た)つ: to stand at the front, to lead
  • 先頭(せんとう)を切(き)る: to take the lead, to be the first
  • 先頭(せんとう)集団(しゅうだん): leading group (in a race)
  • 先頭(せんとう)車両(しゃりょう): front car (of a train)
  • 先頭(せんとう)打者(だしゃ): leadoff batter (baseball)

CONTRAST:

  • 最後尾(さいこうび): rear, end of line
  • 後方(こうほう): behind, in the rear
general
Added 2026.1.14 7:31 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
04000/04374_sentou