Vocabulary

What does 先 (せん, sen) mean?

先 (せん, sen) means before, priority; the first move.

Quick facts
Reading	せん
Romaji	sen
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1

先せん

N1 · estimated, JLPT frameworksen

before, priority; the first move

Example sentences

彼(かれ)は先(せん)で始(はじ)まる対局(たいきょく)を選(えら)んだ。
He chose the match in which he would move first.
碁盤(ごばん)の勝負(しょうぶ)では先(せん)を取(と)ることが重要(じゅうよう)だ。
In a game of Go, it's important to seize the initiative early.