序章(じょしょう)

じょしょう
noun
prologue, opening chapter
formallanguage
1. prologue, opening chapter, prelude
The introductory section of a book, story, or other work. Also used figuratively to describe the beginning phase of a larger event or development.
小説(しょうせつ)の序章(じょしょう)を読(よ)む。
Read the prologue of the novel.
この事件(じけん)は悲劇(ひげき)の序章(じょしょう)に過(す)ぎなかった。
This incident was merely the prologue to a tragedy.
今回(こんかい)の改革(かいかく)は、より大(おお)きな変革(へんかく)の序章(じょしょう)に過(す)ぎないと専門家(せんもんか)は指摘(してき)する。
Experts point out that this reform is merely the prologue to an even greater transformation.

Usage

Used both literally for the opening section of a written work and figuratively for the beginning of a larger chain of events. The figurative usage often carries ominous or dramatic overtones.

Common patterns

  • 〜の序章(じょしょう)に過(す)ぎない: to be merely the prologue to ~
  • 序章(じょしょう)にあたる: to serve as a prologue

Similar words

序文(じょぶん) is the author's preface or foreword, while 序章(じょしょう) is the opening chapter of the narrative itself.

general
Added 2026.2.21 20:59 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12534_joshou