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先頭 (せんとう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N2 Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Meanings 1
noun
head ; front ; lead ; forefront ; vanguard
Refers to the very front position of a line, group, or movement; often used in contexts like being at the head of a parade, leading a race, or being at the forefront of a trend.
その 選せん 手しゅ は レース の 先せん 頭とう を 走はし っ て いる 。
That athlete is running at the front of the race.
Kanji 頭 head, counter for large animals Similar words 先せん 端たん 先端 means the tip or cutting edge of something physical or technological, while 先頭 emphasizes the leading position in a sequence or group.
トップ トップ is a loanword often used for rankings or top positions, whereas 先頭 is more about physical or sequential front positions.
Etymology Compound of 先 (saki, 'front') and 頭 (atama, 'head'), using the on'yomi readings. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination naturally conveys the idea of the foremost position.