I don't know how much of a geek this will make me, but ... if you ever played the original Diablo for the PC, back in the day, there's an excellent way to remember the 前 kanji.
Recall that in the first part of the game, there was a pretty nasty demon you had to confront ... called the "Butcher." The turd had a HUGE set of horns on his head, and he was set up in such a way in the game that you immediately triggered his bloodlust as soon as you first walked "in front" of his field of vision. Back when I played Diablo, I just about crapped my pants every time I'd be strolling along, opened a random door, and realized I had attracted the Butcher's attention by walking in front of him (he'd growl and shout maliciously at you the second he saw you, too).
Maybe I should post this in the public stories area for the kanji, but ... I remember it simply because I remember the Butcher demon as having big horns on his head, and you never wanted to walk "in front" of him. The word "before" doesn't really work very well in that story ... "before" is a word that conveys something more like leading someone in a parade, or line. Moving "in front" of someone, however, allows them to notice you for the first time at all ... particularly the Butcher demon. It's easy to remember that way. Seriously, imagine yourself getting chopped to friggin' pieces because of your mistake of moving "in front" of an unknown, vague shadow. Vividness is good. Imagine the agony.
If you need further help telling the two apart, the following also helped me --> I had the added benefit of knowing the kanji for 先生 (せんせい, sensei） already when I came to the "before" character with Heisig. Think about what a "sensei" really is, and you're home with that character.
I know that the two kanji had the rough meaning of "before life," or preparing one for their life to come. Remember that you learn from your sensei "before" your life really starts to get going. Once again, "in front" doesn't work as a phrase in that kind of context ... "before" fits in much better, leaving little room for doubt. Also, in keeping with the theme of the advice I provided above ... I actually hold the image of a teacher I absolutely LOVED in my mind ... someone I feel generally taught me what I needed "before" my life began. Since I knew that 先 is used in the Japanese word for 'teacher,' and teaching is what comes "before" actually doing something ... I had what I needed. Maybe it'll work for you, too.
Last edited by dukelexon (2007 December 09, 4:37 am)
