前任|ぜんにんzennin[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectiveformer (incumbent); predecessor

• Synonym前任者ぜんにんしゃNeutralRefers to the predecessor as a person; more explicitly points to the individual than 「前任」, which can also mean the previous term or modify nouns.
• Related先代せんだいNeutralThe previous head of a family or shop, or the previous generation; centers on family succession, whereas 「前任」 is about the previous holder of a post.
• Related先任せんにんNeutralA senior colleague or someone who took the post earlier; does not necessarily mean they have left it, unlike 「前任」.
• Antonym後任こうにんNeutralAntonym: the successor who takes over a post; the direct opposite of 「前任」.
• Antonym次任WrittenAntonym: the next holder of a post; less common and found in written/formal prose, the opposite of 「前任」.

Use 「前任」 for the previous term or holder of a post, as in 「前任の校長」 and 「前任地」. For the person, 「前任者」 is more explicit; for the previous head of a family business, 「先代」; for someone senior who took the post earlier, 「先任」. The antonym is 「後任」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 前まえにその任務にんむに就ついていたこと。また、その人ひと。