先程
さきほど · sakihodo · JLPT N2 · noun
a little while ago
⏳ 先 = before + 程 = extent: a short stretch of time that came before
先 (saki) means ahead or earlier, and 程 (hodo) means extent or degree. Together they mark a brief span of time just behind the present moment.
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.