GRAMMAR DETAIL
に先駆けて
Indicates undertaking a new initiative or introduction before others in the same field.
Examples
他社にさきがけて、返却できる容器を導入した。
Ahead of other companies, we introduced containers that can be returned.
Words used
販売開始に先駆けて、説明会を開いた。
We held an information session in advance of the product launch.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
に先駆けてfollows a subject or event and expresses acting ahead of other participants or in advance of an upcoming event. - Basic usage:
販売開始に先駆けて、説明会を開いた。says that an information session was held before sales began.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- A participant standard versus an event standard
他社にさきがけて導入したemphasizes introducing something ahead of other companies.販売開始に先駆けてinstead measures time against the event of sales beginning.
- Spelling and reading
先駆けてis readさきがけてand is the same expression as the kana spelling in the example.