Have you ever heard news like “Japan released this before any other country,” or “This company was the first to introduce a new technology”?

In Japanese, we use に先駆けて (にさきがけて / ni sakigakete) to describe this exact idea, doing something ahead of others, pioneering something new, or being the first to take action.

It’s not used for simple everyday situations like “I ate breakfast before my brother.”
Instead, に先駆けて is reserved for actions that are notable, innovative, or carry a sense of significance, such as launching a new product, making an international announcement, introducing new technology, or holding an important cultural event ahead of others.

It’s a powerful N1 expression that captures leadership, innovation, and that exciting feeling of being “the first.”

Ready to learn how to use it like a pro? Let’s dive in!

に先立って (にさきだって / ni sakidatte) vs に先駆けて (ni sakigakete)
Both expressions look similar because they involve something happening before something else, but the nuance is quite different.

に先立って (ni sakidatte)
This means “before / prior to” in a neutral, procedural sense. It’s used for preparation, formal steps, or scheduled sequences.
It does not imply being first or innovative, it simply marks something that happens beforehand.

会議に先立って、資料を配布します。
かいぎ に さきだって、しりょう を はいふ します。
kaigi ni sakidatte, shiryou wo haifu shimasu.
Before the meeting, we will distribute the documents.

に先駆けて (ni sakigakete)
This means “ahead of others / pioneering / leading the way.” Use it when something is significant, innovative, or the first of its kind.
It highlights doing something early in a meaningful or noteworthy way, not just as part of a routine.

世界に先駆けて、新製品を発売しました。
せかい に さきがけて、しんせいひん を はつばい しました。
sekai ni sakigakete, shinseihin wo hatsubai shimashita.
We released the new product ahead of the rest of the world.

この映画は、世界に先駆けて日本で公開されます。
この えいが は、せかい に さきがけて にほん で こうかい されます。
kono eiga ha, sekai ni sakigakete nihon de koukai saremasu.
This movie will be released in Japan ahead of the rest of the world.

弊社は他社に先駆けて、最新のAI技術を導入しています。
へいしゃ は たしゃ に さきがけて、さいしん の AI ぎじゅつ を どうにゅう して います。
heisha ha tasha ni sakigakete, saishin no AI gijutsu wo dounyuu shite imasu.
Our company is implementing the latest AI technology ahead of other companies.

ライバルに先駆けて、新モデルを年始早々にも発売する予定だ。
らいばる に さきがけて、しん もでる を ねんし そうそう にも はつばい する よてい だ。
raibaru ni sakigakete, shin moderu wo nenshi sousou nimo hatsubai suru yotei da.
We plan to release the new model early in the new year, ahead of our competitors.

大会開催に先駆けて、記念イベントが盛大に行われた。
たいかい かいさい に さきがけて、きねん いべんと が せいだい に おこなわれた。
taikai kaisai ni sakigakete, kinen ibento ga seidai ni okonawareta.
A commemorative event was held in grand style prior to the start of the tournament.

そのアイドルは、時代に先駆けてオンラインでのライブ配信を始めた。
その あいどる は、じだい に さきがけて おんらいん で の らいぶ はいしん を はじめた。
sono aidoru ha, jidai ni sakigakete onrain de no raibu haishin wo hajimeta.
That idol began streaming live performances online ahead of the times.

• Grammar Point: に先駆けて (ni sakigakete)
  
  
• JLPT Level: N1
• Meaning: Ahead of, prior to, pioneering, being the first
• Quick Explanation: に先駆けて is used when something is done before others in a way that feels significant, innovative, or meaningful. It often appears in contexts like new product launches, major events, or actions that “break new ground.”
  
  

So that’s how we use に先駆けて!
It’s a powerful expression for highlighting actions that come first, leading, innovating, or taking initiative before anyone else.

あなたは世界に先駆けて成し遂げたいほどの大きな夢はありますか？
あな た は せかい に さきがけて なしとげたい ほど の おおきな ゆめ は あります か？
anata ha sekai ni sakigakete nashitogetai hodo no ookina yume ha arimasu ka?
Do you have a big dream you’d love to accomplish ahead of the rest of the world?

Now it’s your turn! try making your own sentences with に先駆けて and express bold, pioneering actions just like an advanced speaker!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫✨

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