序文・叙文|じょぶんjobun[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounpreface; foreword; introduction
   彼かれはその戯曲ぎきょくにすばらしい序文じょぶんを書かいた。↗

   He wrote a fine preface to the play.

• Synonym前文ぜんぶんWrittenWritten style. Text written earlier or above, especially a statute's preamble; 「序文」 is the preface at the front of a book.
• Synonym前書きまえがきNeutralNeutral. Writing added before the main text; it can mean the same kind of piece as 「序文」 but is the plainer everyday word, while 「序文」 is more formal.
• SynonymイントロCasualColloquial loanword, mainly the intro of a song; casual, unlike 「序文」, which is a book preface.
• Synonym序章じょしょうNeutralNeutral. The prologue chapter of a novel or paper, also used figuratively for the start of something; not a preface like 「序文」.
• Synonym前置きまえおきNeutralNeutral. Opening remarks before getting into the main subject; mostly about talks, unlike 「序文」, a preface in a book.
• Synonym導入部どうにゅうぶNeutralNeutral. The part of a text or talk that leads into the main topic; not a preface like 「序文」.
• Synonym緒言しょげんWrittenWritten style. A stiff, scholarly word for a foreword, found mostly in academic works; harder in tone than 「序文」.
• Synonym序言じょげんWrittenWritten style. Words set down as a preface; close in meaning to 「序文」 but used less often.
• Synonym序詞じょしWrittenWritten style. Means a preface, but also the decorative lead-in phrases of a waka that introduce its theme — a sense 「序文」 does not have.
• Synonym巻頭言かんとうげんNeutralNeutral. Opening remarks by the author or editor at the very front of a book or magazine, most associated with magazines; for a book's preface 「序文」 is the usual word.
• Related序説じょせつWrittenWritten style. A general expository discussion before the main argument, often used as a book title; 「序文」 is a text explaining a book's purpose.
• Related冒頭ぼうとうNeutralNeutral. The beginning or opening of any text, speech or event; a general term not limited to books, unlike 「序文」.
• Related概論がいろんNeutralNeutral. An outline or general survey of a subject; it is about summarizing content, not a preface like 「序文」.
• Related導入どうにゅうNeutralNeutral. Introducing or bringing in something new, such as equipment or a system; not a preface like 「序文」.
• Related序じょWrittenWritten style. Read 「ついで」 it mainly means an occasion or doing something in passing, plus order; not the preface sense of 「序」 read 「じょ」.
• Related序論じょろんWrittenWritten style. The opening section of a paper outlining what is to come; 「序文」 is a separate piece before the text explaining its purpose.
• Related緒論しょろんWrittenWritten style. A book's introduction, the opening discussion of its content; 「序文」 is more about stating the book's purpose.
• Antonym跋文ばつぶんWrittenAntonym, written style. The afterword at the back of a book, standing opposite 「序文」 at the front.

Use 「序文」 for a formal piece at the front of a book explaining its purpose, as in 「序文を寄せる」. In everyday speech say 「前書き」; in academic writing 「序論」; in magazines 「巻頭言」. The antonym is 「跋文」, the afterword at the back. 「前文」 is chiefly a statute's preamble; 「序説」 and 「序論」 introduce an argument; 「緒言」 and 「序言」 are rarer written preface words; 「序詞」 also covers waka lead-ins. 「冒頭」「序章」「前置き」「導入」「導入部」「イントロ」 cover beginnings or intros of other kinds; 「序で」 read 「ついで」 means occasion or order.

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

1. 書物しょもつの本文ほんぶんに入はいる前まえにその趣旨しゅしなどを記しるした文章ぶんしょう。前書まえがき。端書はしがき。