1.
predecessor, precursor, former form
The earlier version or form that something evolved from. Used for organizations, institutions, products, or concepts that were later reorganized, renamed, or transformed into their current form.
この会社の前身は小さな工場だった。
The predecessor of this company was a small factory.
大学の前身は明治時代の私塾だ。
The university's predecessor was a private school in the Meiji era.
この制度の前身となった仕組みについて調べている。
I'm researching the system that served as the precursor to this program.
前身 describes the earlier form or incarnation of something — "what it used to be." Used for organizations, companies, institutions, and products that were later renamed or reorganized.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～の前身: the predecessor of ~
- 前身は～だ: its predecessor was ~
- 前身となる: to serve as the precursor
- ～を前身とする: to have ~ as its predecessor
EXAMPLE:
東京大学の前身は開成学校だ (The predecessor of Tokyo University was Kaisei School).
IMPORTANT DISTINCTION:
Not used for people in roles. For a person who held a position previously, use 前任者 (predecessor in a role).
COMPONENTS:
前 (before/former) + 身 (body/form)