緒言(しょげん)

しょげん
noun
preface; foreword (formal)
formalacademiclanguage
1. preface; foreword; introductory remarks
Opening remarks placed at the front of a book or paper, explaining its aim and background. A formal term found mainly in academic and scholarly works.
緒言(しょげん)を読(よ)む。
To read the preface.
著者(ちょしゃ)は緒言(しょげん)で研究(けんきゅう)の目的(もくてき)を述(の)べている。
The author states the purpose of the research in the preface.
専門書(せんもんしょ)の緒言(しょげん)には、その分野(ぶんや)の背景(はいけい)がまとめられていることが多(おお)い。
The preface of a specialist book often summarizes the background of the field.

A formal, written-language word used chiefly in academic books and papers. Also read ちょげん. In everyday writing まえがき or はじめに are far more common.

Similar words

  • 序文(じょぶん): preface — a near-synonym; 緒言(しょげん) sounds more academic.
  • まえがき: foreword — the plain, everyday equivalent.
  • あとがき: afterword — the closing counterpart placed at the end.

Related Words

Compare: 序文(じょぶん) (preface)
Compare: 前書(まえが)き (foreword)
Compare: あとがき (afterword)
general
Added 2026.6.21 3:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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