Japanese word

先頭

Pronunciation

Romajisentō

Meaning

  • nounfront

Example

私は列の先頭に並びます。watashi wa retsu no sen tō ni nara bi ma su

I stand at the front of the line.

Illustration for 先頭 (front)

More examples

子どもたちは先頭の人について歩きます。ko do mo ta chi wa sen tō no hito ni tsu i te aru ki ma su

The children walk behind the person at the front.

Core concept

Points to what comes first in a line or group and therefore leads the others behind it.

Common phrases

  • 先頭に立つsen tō ni ta tsu

    lead the way

  • 行列の先頭gyō retsu no sen tō

    front of the queue

  • 先頭を切るsen tō o ki ru

    take the lead

Similar words

トップtoppu: The position at the front or the highest position in a group, line, or contest.
頭atama: The front position of a group of people who are moving or standing together.

Definition in Japanese

並んだものや進む集団のいちばん前。nara n da mo no ya susu mu shū dan no i chi ba n mae

Word origin

The compound 先頭 (sentō) uses 先 (sen, "ahead") for what is in front and 頭 (tō, "head") for the leading part.

Usage tips

  • A person walking at the front of a group can be 先頭 (sentō), while the same word also describes the first place in a queue or race.

Other meanings

  • headnoun

Opposites

  • 最後尾saikōbirear of the linenoun

Word lists with this word