Japanese word

前者

Pronunciation

Romajizensha

二つの案を比べて、前者に賛成します。futa tsu no an o kura be te zen sha ni san sei shi ma su

After comparing the two plans, I support the former.

二つの方法のうち、前者のほうが簡単です。futa tsu no hō hō no u chi zen sha no hō ga kan tan de su

Of the two methods, the former is easier.

Identifies the earlier item in a pair, especially when the two items are being compared or contrasted.

二つの事柄のうち、先に述べたほう。futa tsu no koto gara no u chi saki ni no be ta hō

前者 (zensha) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 前 (zen, "before") and 者 (sha, "person or thing"), so it denotes the one named first.

When two options have just been mentioned, former points to the first one and avoids repeating its name.