Meaning and Usage
"先程" (さきほど) is a polite and somewhat formal expression meaning "a little while ago" or "just now." It is often used in business or polite conversation to refer to a recent event that happened shortly before the current moment.
Common Contexts
You will frequently hear "先程" in phone calls, meetings, or formal emails when referring to something that happened moments ago. It is more formal than casual expressions like "さっき".
Collocations and Patterns
- 先程お電話しました (I called a little while ago): common in phone conversations.
- 先程の会議 (the meeting a little while ago): used to refer back to a recent event.
- 先程から (since a little while ago): to indicate something started recently and continues.
Nuances and Tips
Using "先程" shows respect and politeness, making it suitable for workplace or formal situations. Avoid mixing it with very casual speech. A common learner mistake is confusing "先程" with "さっき"; the former is more formal and appropriate in polite contexts, while the latter is casual.
Summary
Use "先程" when you want to politely refer to something that happened just moments ago, especially in formal or business settings.