前者・後者: Former and Latter

Introduction

Okay. Today we have two options: to grammar, or not to grammar. The former will be filled with adventure, challenges, and awesomeness. The latter will be easy and safe, but boring and unfulfilling.

Wait, this isn't "choose your own adventure". We're doing grammar! (Although this one is more on vocabulary to be honest...)

前者ぜんしゃと後者こうしゃ: The front dude and the behind dude

前者ぜんしゃ and 後者こうしゃ are two nouns that are very similar to "former" and "latter" in English. They tend to be used in written or formal situations, so you're not likely to hear friends throwing them around in casual conversation.

Before we start, let's take a look at these kanji! We have 前ぜん ("before") and 後こう ("after") coupled with 者しゃ, a suffix which is usually used for people, but in this case simply completes the noun (similar to "er" in "former" and "latter").