Japanese word

先だって

Pronunciation

Romajisendatte

Meaning

  • adverbthe other day

Example

先だって友達と映画を見ました。sen da tte tomo dachi to ei ga o mi ma shi ta

I watched a movie with my friend the other day.

Illustration for 先だって (the other day)

More examples

先だってお話しした件を、もう一度ご確認いただけますか。sen da tte o hana shi shi ta ken o mō ichi do go kaku nin i ta da ke ma su ka

Could you please check the matter we discussed the other day once more?

Core concept

Points back to a past time that is close to the present, usually within the last few days.

Common phrases

  • 先だってお会いしたsen da tte o a i shi ta

    met the other day

  • 先だって申し上げたsen da tte mō shi a ge ta

    mentioned the other day

Similar words

先日senjitsu: It points to a time shortly before the present, often within several days.
先般senpan: It points to a recent past occasion in formal language.
この間konoaida: It points to a recent occasion in casual conversation.
この前konomae: It points to a previous time or event in casual language.

Definition in Japanese

現在からあまり隔たっていない過去の時点を指すさま。gen zai ka ra a ma ri heda ta tte i na i ka ko no ji ten o sa su sa ma

Word origin

The spelling 先だって (sendatte, "the other day") corresponds to the variant 先達て (sendatte, "the other day"); the expression's exact origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In formal Japanese, 先だって (sendatte, "the other day") can introduce a recent event in a report or speech, giving it a more formal tone than everyday この間 (kono aida, "the other day").

Other meanings

  • recentlyadverb
  • some time agoadverb

Word lists with this word