前例(ぜんれい)

ぜんれい
noun
precedent
1. precedent
A previous case or instance that can serve as a reference or standard for similar situations. Often used in legal, administrative, and formal contexts.
前例(ぜんれい)のない事態(じたい)だ。
This is an unprecedented situation.
過去(かこ)の前例(ぜんれい)に従(したが)って判断(はんだん)する。
To make a judgment following past precedent.
この問題(もんだい)に関(かん)しては前例(ぜんれい)がないため、慎重(しんちょう)に対応(たいおう)する必要(ひつよう)がある。
Since there is no precedent for this issue, it needs to be handled carefully.

前例(ぜんれい) refers to a past case used as a reference for current decisions. Composed of 前(ぜん) (previous) + 例(れい) (example/case).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 前例(ぜんれい)のない: unprecedented
  • 前例(ぜんれい)に従(したが)う: to follow precedent
  • 前例(ぜんれい)を作(つく)る: to set a precedent
  • 前例(ぜんれい)がない: there is no precedent
  • 前例(ぜんれい)主義(しゅぎ): precedent-based approach (often used critically)

CULTURE:
Japanese organizations — government offices, schools, companies — often rely heavily on precedent. The phrase 前例(ぜんれい)主義(しゅぎ) (following precedent blindly) is sometimes used critically to describe bureaucratic inflexibility.

RELATED:

  • 先例(せんれい): precedent (similar meaning, more formal/legal)
general
Added 2026.2.18 15:08 · Revised 2026.3.30 21:38
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