先々週
せんせんしゅう · sensenshuu · JLPT N2 · noun
2 weeks before
📅 先 before + 々 repeat mark + 週 week = before-before week, two weeks back
The 々 mark repeats the kanji before it, so 先々 is 先 twice, meaning two steps back. Say sensen to get 先々, then shuu for 週, the week.
先 — 𠂉 (person variant) on top + 儿 (legs) below
先 originally depicted a person with a foot or step shown above the legs 儿, suggesting someone walking ahead. From this image of going before others came the meanings 'first,' 'earlier,' and 'ahead.' The modern shape preserves the 'legs' radical underneath.