Word
Kana: さきほど Romaji: sakihodo Level: N2

先程

Meaning in English

a little while ago

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Word context

What it means

What does 先程 mean? It denotes a moment in the immediate past, used to refer to a recent event or remark in formal or polite speech.

Main meanings

  • time reference to an event in the near past
  • formality and register: common in formal speech or writing
  • reference to preceding discourse: used to recall a statement or action just mentioned

How to use it

Used to indicate recency in formal or polite contexts; in casual conversation many speakers prefer さっき. In written language and media, 先程 appears in reports, emails, and speeches.

Variants and close terms

  • さっき (sakki) — casual, a moment ago
  • 今しがた (imashigata) — formal, just now
  • 今ほど (imahodo) — formal variant meaning very recently

Composition

  • 先 – ahead, previous
  • 程 – extent, degree
  • Together they form a time expression that points to the moment just before the present

Word class

temporal noun (名詞, time expression)

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