先代

せんだい

family predecessor, previous age, previous generation

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Understanding

The word refers to the previous generation or predecessors, often within a family or lineage context. It is commonly used to talk about ancestors, former holders of a position, or earlier eras.

Usage in Context

  1. Family and heritage: often describes ancestors or previous family members who passed down traditions or property.
  2. Experience and knowledge: It can refer to the wisdom or experience gained by earlier generations that benefits the current one.
  3. Responsibility and succession: It highlights the role of predecessors in passing on duties or businesses.

Common Collocations

  • 遗产 (inheritance from predecessors): used when discussing property or cultural heritage.
  • 经验 (experience of predecessors): emphasizes learning from past generations.
  • (family predecessors): refers to ancestors within a family.

Notes

When using , the context usually involves respect and acknowledgment of those who came before. It is more formal and often appears in historical, familial, or business succession discussions. Avoid confusing it with (before) which is more general and temporal rather than generational.

Example Sentences

This old house is an inheritance left by the previous generation.

The experience of the previous generation is very helpful for our current work.

He is the family predecessor, bearing the responsibility of inheriting the family business.