前文(ぜんぶん)

ぜんぶん
noun
preamble; introductory text; foreword
1. preamble; introductory text; foreword
The introductory section of a document, law, or constitution that explains its purpose and principles. Also used more generally for any introductory text placed before the main body.
憲法(けんぽう)の前文(ぜんぶん)を読(よ)む。
To read the preamble of the constitution.
契約書(けいやくしょ)の前文(ぜんぶん)に目的(もくてき)が記(しる)されている。
The purpose is stated in the preamble of the contract.
日本国(にほんこく)憲法(けんぽう)の前文(ぜんぶん)には、平和主義(へいわしゅぎ)の理念(りねん)が掲(かか)げられている。
The preamble of the Japanese constitution sets forth the principle of pacifism.

Most commonly encountered in the context of constitutions, laws, treaties, and formal contracts, where the preamble establishes the document's purpose, principles, and intent.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 憲法(けんぽう)の前文(ぜんぶん): preamble of a constitution
  • 条約(じょうやく)の前文(ぜんぶん): preamble of a treaty
  • 前文(ぜんぶん)に述(の)べる: to state in the preamble

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 序文(じょぶん): preface, foreword — used for books and literary works; written by the author or a third party
  • 序論(じょろん): introduction — the opening section of an academic paper or essay
  • 全文(ぜんぶん): full text — a homophone with a completely different meaning; uses 全(ぜん) (whole) instead of 前(ぜん) (before)

NOTE:
Be careful not to confuse 前文(ぜんぶん) (preamble) with the homophone 全文(ぜんぶん) (full text). Context usually makes the distinction clear.

general
Added 2026.4.2 23:08
21500/21506_zenbun