前文|ぜんぶんzenbun[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounthe above sentence; the foregoing remark
2. nounpreamble (to a statute, constitution, etc.)
3. nounopening part of a letter (used for season's greetings, asking after someone's health, etc.)

• Synonym前書きまえがきNeutralThe preface to a book, written by the author or editor. 「前文」 also covers the preamble of a statute and the opening greetings of a letter.
• Synonym前置きまえおきNeutralOpening remarks before getting down to business, in speech or writing, as in 「前置きが長い」. 「前文」 mostly refers to written text.
• SynonymイントロCasualColloquial, mostly for the intro of a song, or a lead-in to a topic. Not used for statutes or letters.
• Synonym序文じょぶんWrittenA text before the main body setting out a book's purpose; same idea as 「前書き」 but more written in tone.
• Synonym導入部どうにゅうぶNeutralThe opening section of an article or piece of music that leads into the main part; functional, not a standalone preface.
• Related冒頭ぼうとうNeutralThe beginning of a piece of writing, a speech, or an event. 「前文」 is a preamble before the main text or wording given earlier.
• Related書き出しかきだしNeutralThe opening sentence or paragraph of a piece of writing, with an eye to how it is written. 「前文」 is a preamble or earlier text.
• Related序章じょしょうWrittenThe opening chapter of a novel or academic paper, placed before the main subject; figuratively, the start of something.
• Related序説じょせつWrittenAn introductory discussion preceding the main argument, often used in book titles such as 「経済学序説」.
• Related導入どうにゅうNeutralMainly the introduction of technology or equipment, also the lead-in of a lesson or story. 「前文」 refers only to text.
• Related緒言しょげんWrittenA written, rather literary preface opening a scholarly work; common in academic books. In everyday use, say 「前書き」.
• Related序言じょげんWrittenA formal written preface setting out a book's purpose. In everyday contexts 「前書き」 is the usual word.
• RelatedイントロダクションNeutralLoanword for an introduction or lead-in, and also for introducing someone. Typical of lectures and music.
• Related巻頭言かんとうげんWrittenWords by the author or editor at the front of a publication, typical of magazines. 「前文」 typically means a statute preamble or a letter's opening.
• AntonymむすびNeutralAntonym: the ending of a piece of writing or a speech, opposite to the opening 「前文」; also a knot or joining.
• Antonym後文こうぶんWrittenAntonym: text that follows, as opposed to 「前文」 for what comes before. Rarely used.

For a book preface, 「前書き」 or 「序文」 is the default; 「前文」 is for a statute or constitution preamble and the opening greetings of a letter. Use 「前置き」 for spoken opening remarks and 「冒頭」 for the opening of a text, speech or event. 「イントロ」 is for song intros, 「導入」 for introducing equipment, and 「結び」 for the closing part.

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

1. 前まえのほうに書かいた文章ぶんしょう。
2. 法令ほうれいなどの主文しゅぶんの前まえに記しるす文章ぶんしょう。
3. 手紙てがみにおいて時候じこうなどのあいさつを記しるした文章ぶんしょう。