The Meaning of sakihodo [先程] In Japanese

先程
さきほど
Romaji: sakihodo N5

What does 先程 mean?

Translation and Meaning

a moment ago, just now

Definition

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.

Type

temporal noun (名詞, time expression)

Stroke Order

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

Composition

  • 先 – ahead, previous
  • 程 – extent, degree
  • Together they form a time expression that points to the moment just before the present

Usage

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.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: pair 先 with the idea of ‘ahead’ and 程 with ‘scope of time’ to remember that 先程 marks the time just ahead of now.

Variations

  • 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

Example Phrases

  • 先程、私はコンビニで財布を落としました。
    Sakihodo watashi wa konbini de saifu o otoshimashita.
    Earlier, I dropped my wallet at the convenience store.
    Lista:
    • 先程 (sakihodo) – earlier
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • コンビニで (konbini de) – at the convenience store
    • 財布を (saifu o) – wallet
    • 落としました (otoshimashita) – dropped
    「先程」 means ‘a short time ago’ and is used in polite or formal contexts to refer to something that happened recently.
先程