Quick answer
先 is the kanji for "Ahead / Before / Future". A common reading is さき (saki). You can practice writing it on this page.
Meaning
Ahead / Before / Future
Also : Ahead · Before · Future · Previous · Precedence
Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Memory Aid
Feet (the bottom strokes) going ahead of a person — your feet lead you forward, arriving before the rest of you. They're always one step ahead.
せん (sen) — sensei (先生) is the one who "went before" — the master leads the way.
Example Sentences
先生に質問しました。
せんせいにしつもんしました。
I asked the teacher a question.
先週、映画を見ました。
せんしゅう、えいがをみました。
I watched a movie last week.
Vocabulary using 先
Learn 先 with Spaced Repetition
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