N2 Timing, Occasions, and Triggers

~に先立さきだち/~に先立さきだって: meaning, usage and examples

~に先立さきだち/~に先立さきだって means: prior to... / before...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 式しきに先立さきだち、リハーサルを行おこないます。

   Prior to the ceremony, we'll have a rehearsal.

2. 発表はっぴょうに先立さきだって、資料しりょうが配くばられた。

   Before the presentation, handouts were distributed.

3. 新しん製品せいひんの発売はつばいに先立さきだち、記者きしゃ会見かいけんが行おこなわれた。

   A press conference was held prior to the new product's launch.

4. 工事こうじに先立さきだって、近所きんじょの家いえに挨拶あいさつをして回まわった。

   Before the construction began, we went around greeting the neighbors.

When to use it

Use this to say that something is done in advance of a major event, as a preliminary step: 新しん製品せいひんの発売はつばいに先立さきだち、記者きしゃ会見かいけんが行おこなわれた (a press conference was held before the product launch). The noun is usually a formal event such as a ceremony, launch, opening or construction, and the second clause is an action done beforehand.

Nuance

Formal; common in news, announcements and official schedules. に先立さきだち is more written than に先立さきだって. The second clause is a concrete action, often in the passive (行おこなわれた, 発表はっぴょうされた), not a general statement like 準備じゅんびが必要ひつようだ. Not used for small personal events.

Compare

前まえに is everyday and fits any event: 寝ねる前まえに歯はを磨みがく. に先立さきだって is formal and suggests an official step before something important: 開会かいかいに先立さきだって黙もくとうを行おこなう. にあたって is about preparing for a new start, not just order in time: 開店かいてんにあたって準備じゅんびする.

Tip: Think of a press release: "Prior to the opening, a ceremony was held." If 前まえに would sound too plain there, use に先立さきだち.