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.
Describes a thing's earlier incarnation — the "what it used to be." Not used for people (use 前任者 for a predecessor in a role).
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)