JLPT N2Four-character idioms
前代未聞
- Meaning
- 今までに聞いたこともないような珍しい出来事
- Explanation
- "前代未聞" comes from the sense of never having been heard of in any previous age, expressing an extremely rare and unprecedented event. It is used when describing a surprising incident or situation. Rather than taking it as "a rumor heard by people of former ages" like c1 or c3, the key point is that there is no precedent when viewed from the present.
Original Japanese explanation
「前代未聞」は、これまでの時代に聞いたことがない意から、きわめて珍しく前例のない出来事を表します。驚くべき事件や事態を述べる場面で使います。c1やc3のように「前代の人が聞いた噂」と取るのではなく、現在から見て前例がない点が要点です。
Quick check
Choose the most appropriate meaning of "前代未聞".
Tap the answer you think is right.
