Word
先程
Meaning in Englisha little while ago
Animated kanji stroke order
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)