〜に先立って・〜に先立ち~ni sakidatte / ~ni sakidachi

How it works

1. 

   First, the introductory video plays; then the new product is announced. This expresses preparations or related activities done before an important event.

2. 

   Attach it to a noun naming an event, as in 「発表に先立って」. It refers to activities done before the announcement.

3. 

   It can also follow a verb in its dictionary form, as in 「発表するに先立って」, meaning before doing that action.

4. 

   「に先立ち」 has the same meaning but sounds more like written language. Both forms often appear in formal notices and explanations.

5. 

   The examples mention the announcement or livestream first, but playing the video or introducing the highlights happens first. Word order is not the order of events.

Example sentences

• 新商品しんしょうひんshinshouhinのno発表はっぴょうhappyouにni先立っさきだっsakidattて、te、短いみじかいmijikai紹介しょうかいshoukai動画どうがdougaがga流れました。ながれました。

In a conversation

Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A体験型コンテンツの試遊を開始するに先立って、出演者による実演と遊び方の説明が行われました。B体験型コンテンツの試遊を開始するに先立、出演者による実演と遊び方の説明が行われました。C体験型コンテンツの試遊を開始するに先立って、出演者による実演と遊び方の説明が行われます。D体験型コンテンツの試遊を開始する先立って、出演者による実演と遊び方の説明が行われました。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   ABefore the livestream, the highlights of the event were introduced on social media.BAfter the livestream, reactions were shared on social media.CBefore the livestream, the equipment connections were checked.DBefore the livestream, the performers gathered in the green room.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   Ahead of the new product announcement, a short introductory video was shown.

   短い先立って、ライブ配信に一般公開に参加者の新商品のまし発表に紹介動画が流れた。
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   新商品の発表____、短い紹介動画が流れました。

   Before the new product announcement, a short introduction video was shown.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜に先立って・〜に先立ちbefore; prior to an event

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