JLPT N1 Grammar

〜に先んじて (ni sakinjite)

〜に先んじて (ni sakinjite)
“before; ahead of; in advance of”

This expression is used to indicate that one action or event happens prior to another, often for preparation, notification, or priority purposes. It is formal and neutral, commonly used in business, official communication, and reports.

It appears primarily in written professional Japanese such as internal memos, project updates, announcements, and strategy documents, though it can also appear in polite spoken contexts.

The nuance is proactive, deliberate, and anticipatory, emphasising that something is being done ahead of schedule or before an expected event.

Format

  • Noun + に先んじて
    他社に先んじて、新製品を発売する。 We will release the new product ahead of other companies.
  • Noun + に先んずる (Noun)
    世界に先んずる技術を開発したい。 I want to develop technology that leads the world.

Example sentences

  • 。
    We held an internal briefing session ahead of the new product launch.
  • 。
    We conducted an employee briefing ahead of the financial results announcement.
  • 。
    We conducted market research ahead of starting the new business project.
  • 。
    We prepared the materials ahead of the meeting.
  • 。
    We distributed pre-training materials ahead of the workshop.

Similar Grammar

〜より先に / 〜より前に (yori saki ni / yori mae ni)

“before; prior to”
誰より先に、会場に到着した。 I arrived at the venue before anyone else.

Difference:

  • 〜より先に is more neutral and everyday; less formal
  • 〜に先んじて is more formal and professional, often written or official communication

〜前もって (maemotte)

“In advance; beforehand”
大切な会議なので、前もって資料を準備する。 Since it is an important meeting, I will prepare the materials in advance.

Difference:

  • Casual/neutral tone, common in conversation
  • Focuses on the act of preparation, not emphasizing official or formal order

〜に先立って (ni sakidatte)

“prior to; ahead of”
出発に先立って、注意事項を説明します。 Prior to departure, I will explain the points of caution.

Difference:

  • Very similar in meaning, often interchangeable
  • 〜に先立って sounds slightly more ceremonial or formal, frequently in announcements and press releases
  • 〜に先んじて emphasizes practical preparation or action ahead of an event

〜前に (mae ni)

“before; prior to”
食事の前に、手を洗ってください。 Please wash your hands before eating.

Difference:

  • For everyday usage. Less formal, less business-specific nuance

〜うちに (uchi ni)

“while; during the time that”
忘れないうちに、メモを書いておく。 I will write a memo while I still remember.

Difference:

  • Focuses on timing within a window, not strictly on action preceding another event

JLPT Practice Questions

Now let’s test your understanding.

Q1. での（　　　）、でのがされた。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q2. されたのは、10（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q3. （　　　）、向けのが。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q4. のは、の500（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q5. （　　　）をすることで、に。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q6. のは、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q7. は、の（　　　）、のをした。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q8. なは、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q9. （　　　）は、した。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q10. のは、にを（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q11. の（　　　）、がし。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q12. のは、で5（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q13. の（　　　）、が。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q14. のは、（　　　）。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Q15. （　　　）、のをしなければならない。
A.
B.
C.
D.

Continue Your Journey to Native-Level Fluency

Great work finishing this session! Achieving N1-level precision is about layering these subtle distinctions until they become second nature in your professional life.

To maintain your momentum and eliminate any remaining blind spots, head back to our JLPT N1 Grammar List. Use it to systematically check off each point and refine your ability to navigate complex Japanese environments with the confidence of a native speaker.

JLPT N1 Grammar List

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