GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜に先んじて
Indicates taking the lead or completing preparations by acting before a competitor or scheduled event.
Examples
競合他社に先んじて、その会社は包装材を再利用する仕組みを導入した。
Ahead of its competitors, the company introduced a system for reusing packaging materials.
Words used
新製品の発売に先んじて、試作品を公開した。
A prototype was unveiled ahead of the new product's launch.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
に先んじてto a noun naming another party or a scheduled event to formally describe acting ahead of it.先んじてis readさきんじて. - Basic usage:
新製品の発売に先んじて、試作品を公開した。means unveiling a prototype before the new product's launch.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Another party versus a scheduled event
競合他社に先んじてdescribes taking the lead by acting before competitors.発売に先んじてuses the scheduled launch as the time before which the action occurs.