前代未聞(ぜんだいみもん)

ぜんだいみもん
noun, na-adjective
unprecedented; unheard of
descriptive
1. unprecedented; unheard of
Something that has never happened or been heard of before in history. Often used for shocking, extraordinary, or scandalous events.
これは前代未聞(ぜんだいみもん)の事件(じけん)だ。
This is an unprecedented incident.
前代未聞(ぜんだいみもん)の不祥事(ふしょうじ)で会社(かいしゃ)が揺(ゆ)れている。
The company is shaken by an unprecedented scandal.
前代未聞(ぜんだいみもん)の記録(きろく)を打(う)ち立(た)てた。
They set an unprecedented record.

Etymology

前代(ぜんだい) (previous generations) + 未聞(みもん) (never heard)
"Never heard of in previous generations"

Usage

Often used for:

  • Scandals and shocking news
  • Record-breaking achievements
  • Unusual or extraordinary events
  • Serious incidents or accidents

The term emphasizes the historical significance of an event by stating that nothing like it has ever occurred before.

Similar words

Related Words

Related: 空前絶後(くうぜんぜつご) (unprecedented and unrepeatable)
Compare: 史上初(しじょうはつ) (first in history)
Compare: 未曾有(みぞう) (unprecedented)
Compare: 空前(くうぜん) (unprecedented)
Compare: 近年稀(きんねんまれ)にみる (rarely seen in recent years)
general
Added 2026.1.17 2:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05500/05949_zendaimimon