Japanese word

前後

Pronunciation

Romajizengo

Meaning

  • nounback and forth

Example

いすを前後に動かします。i su o zen go ni ugo ka shi ma su

I move the chair back and forth.

Illustration for 前後 (back and forth)

More examples

ブランコが前後に揺れています。bu ra n ko ga zen go ni yu re te i ma su

The swing is rocking back and forth.

Core concept

Marks the two sides or directions on either side of a reference point, allowing it to describe movement between them or positions and times before and after it.

Common phrases

  • 前後に揺れるzen go ni yu re ru

    rock back and forth

  • 前後に動かすzen go ni ugo ka su

    move back and forth

  • 前後に動くzen go ni ugo ku

    move back and forth

Similar words

往復ōfuku: Movement from one place to another and back again.
行き来ikiki: Movement between two places, people, or positions in both directions.

Definition in Japanese

基準となる位置や時点をはさんだ、前と後ろの両側やその間。ki jun to na ru i chi ya ji ten o ha sa n da mae to ushi ro no ryō gawa ya so no aida

Word origin

前後 (zengo, "before and after; front and back") is a compound of 前 (zen, "front; before") and 後 (go, "back; after"), using their Sino-Japanese readings.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 前後 (zengo) can describe movement between front and back positions, while 前後して (zengo shite) can mean "around that time," so context distinguishes motion from time.

Other meanings

  • before and afternoun
  • front and backnoun

Word lists with this word