先 代(せんだい)

せんだい

noun

predecessor; previous generation; previous head

1. predecessor; previous generation; previous head of a family or business

The person who held a position, title, or role before the current holder. Commonly refers to the previous head of a family business, shop, or traditional art lineage.

先代(せんだい)の社長(しゃちょう)が築(きず)いた会社(かいしゃ)だ。

It's a company built by the previous president.

この店(みせ)は先代(せんだい)から受(う)け継(つ)いだものだ。

This shop was inherited from the previous owner.

先代(せんだい)の味(あじ)を守(まも)りながらも、新(あたら)しいメニューに挑戦(ちょうせん)している。

While preserving the previous generation's flavors, they are also taking on new menu items.

Commonly used in the context of family businesses, traditional crafts, and performing arts where a lineage of successors is important.

Common collocations

先代(せんだい)の社長(しゃちょう) (previous company president)
先代(せんだい)から受(う)け継(つ)ぐ (to inherit from the predecessor)
先代(せんだい)の味(あじ) (the predecessor's flavor/recipe)
先代(せんだい)の意志(いし)を継(つ)ぐ (to carry on the predecessor's wishes)

Usage

Not to be confused with the city name 仙台(せんだい), which is a different word entirely. 先代(せんだい) implies a direct succession relationship and is often used when discussing how traditions, skills, or businesses are passed down.

Related Words

Compare: 当代(とうだい) (the present age)

Compare: 前代(ぜんだい) (previous generation)

Compare: 先人(せんじん) (predecessor)

general

Added 2026.3.3 21:50 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

14500/14793_sendai