初代(しょだい)

しょだい
noun
first generation, founder
1. first generation, founder, first (in a line)
The first person in a succession or lineage, such as the first leader, first head of a family business, or the original version of something.
初代(しょだい)大統領(だいとうりょう)はワシントンだ。
The first president was Washington.
初代(しょだい)のオーナーがこの店(みせ)を開(ひら)いた。
The original owner opened this shop.
この旅館(りょかん)は初代(しょだい)から数(かぞ)えて五代目(ごだいめ)の主人(しゅじん)が営(いとな)んでいる。
This inn is run by the fifth-generation owner, counting from the founder.

Used as a prefix before titles or roles to indicate the first holder of that position.

WORD FORMATION:
初(しょ) (first) + 代(だい) (generation)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 初代(しょだい)大統領(だいとうりょう): first president
  • 初代(しょだい)会長(かいちょう): first chairman
  • 初代(しょだい)社長(しゃちょう): founding company president
  • 初代(しょだい)チャンピオン: first champion

GENERATION COUNTING:

  • 初代(しょだい): first generation (founder)
  • 二代目(にだいめ): second generation
  • 三代目(さんだいめ): third generation
  • ～代目(だいめ): nth generation

USAGE:
Common in discussions of family businesses, political dynasties, and historical figures. Also used for product versions: 初代(しょだい)iPhone (the original iPhone).

general
Added 2026.2.18 8:15 · Revised 2026.3.28 18:49
11500/11778_shodai