前書き|まえがきmaegaki[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpreface; foreword; preamble

• Synonym序文じょぶんWrittenThe formal preface of a book; written style, often penned by the author or by someone else — more formal than 「前書き」.
• Synonym前置きまえおきNeutralOpening remarks before getting to the point, as in 「前置きが長い」; not limited to books.
• SynonymイントロNeutralColloquial short form for the opening of a song or a talk; mostly used for music.
• Synonym序章じょしょうNeutralThe prologue chapter of a novel; also figuratively the start of something, as in 「戦いの序章」.
• Synonym序じょWrittenCan mean 'order' or a preface, but in modern usage it mostly means 'opportunity'; rare for prefaces — say 「前書き」 in everyday speech.
• Synonym緒言しょげんWrittenThe preface of a scholarly work; formal written style, used sparingly, and weightier than 「前書き」.
• Synonym序言じょげんWrittenA preface in written style; synonymous with 「序文」 and found mostly in formal publications.
• Related序説じょせつWrittenAn introductory overview of a subject; often seen in book titles like 「〜序説」.
• Related序論じょろんWrittenThe introduction section of an academic paper; a scholarly term centred on raising the questions to be addressed.
• Related緒論しょろんWrittenAlso the introduction of a paper; written and technical, synonymous with 「序論」.
• RelatedイントロダクションNeutralA loanword for an introduction; often used in lectures and textbooks.
• Antonym後書きあとがきNeutralThe afterword at the end of a book, standing opposite the front-of-book 「前書き」.

For a book's preface, 「前書き」 is the everyday choice (also 「はじめに」); use 「序文」 or 「序言」 for formal publications and 「緒言」 for scholarly works. 「前置き」 covers spoken opening remarks, 「序論」/「緒論」 a paper's introduction, 「イントロ」 music, and 「後書き」 the afterword.

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

1. 本文ほんぶんの前まえに書き添かきそえる文ぶん。