JPEDLAB iconJPEDLAB
Save history

Create an account and play

Explore first, then save your progress whenever you are ready. No email address is required.

Start free
Read as articleCards
1/8

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

››

Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N2 · Intermediate 3

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

before; prior to an event

「〜に先立って」 describes preparations or related activities done before an important event; 「〜に先立ち」 is more written.

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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    「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.

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。nagaremashita。

    Prior to the announcement of the new product, a short introductory video was played.

  • ライブらいぶraibu配信はいしんhaishinにni先立っさきだっsakidattて、te、SNSえすえぬえすesuenuesuでdeイベントいべんとibentoのno見どころみどころmidokoroがga紹介しょうかい

In a conversation

  • A
    「一般いっぱん公開こうかいに先立っさきだって、プレイベントぷれいべんとが行われるそうおこなわれるそうですよ。」よ。

    A: "I heard that a pre-event will be held prior to the public opening."

  • B
    「そうそうなんですね。何なんか面白いおもしろいステージすてーじ企画きかくはわあるでしょうか。」か。

    B: "Is that so? I wonder if there will be any interesting stage events."

  • A
    「出演者しゅつえんしゃによるトークとーくセッションせっしょんが予定よていされているらしいです。」いるらしいです。

    A: "It seems that a talk session by the performers is scheduled."

Check yourself

  1. Level 1 · Recognise

    Which sentence is correct?

  2. Level 1 · Recognise

    Listen and choose the meaning

  3. Level 2 · Build

    Put the words in order

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

  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.

More grammar in this theme

  • 〜とともにtogether with
  • 〜しかないhave no choice but to
  • 〜ずにはいられないcan't help doing
  • 〜一方でwhile also showing another side
  • 〜させられるbe prompted to feel or think
  • 〜のみならずnot only, but also
  • 〜と同時にat the same time; while also
  • 〜によって・〜により・〜によるby means of; due to
  • 〜だけにprecisely because
  • 〜としてもeven if; supposing that
  • 〜に先立って・〜に先立ちbefore; prior to an event
  • どちらかというと〜・どちらかといえば〜if I had to choose; rather
Previous〜としてもNextどちらかというと〜・どちらかといえば〜

Keep practising

Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
See the whole course
Intermediate 3
Trends and Everyday Topics
shoukai
されました。saremashita。

Prior to the live broadcast, the highlights of the event were introduced on SNS.