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N2

に先立ち

にさきだち

Before, Prior to, In preference over

映画えいがの公開こうかいに先立さきだち、予告編よこくへんが公開こうかいされた。

Prior to the release of the movie, the trailer was released.

Explanation

Follows a noun or the dictionary form of a verb and means 'prior to ...': before an important event (a meeting, a project, a trip, a business launch), some preparation, survey or announcement comes first: 「首脳会談に先立ち、事前の打ち合わせが行われた」 (Before the summit, a preliminary meeting was held). It is formal and used for organized, planned occasions.

Mixed up with

「の前に」 is the everyday one and fits any small thing: 「ご飯を食べる前に、手を洗う」.

「に先立ち/に先立って」 cannot be used for daily trifles: not 「×ご飯を食べるに先立ち」.

Use it for events with social weight, ceremonies or business occasions.

Examples

  1. 新製品しんせいひんの発売はつばいに先立さきだち、記者会見きしゃかいけんが開ひらかれた。

    Ahead of the new product's release, a press conference was held.

  2. 工事こうじの着工ちゃっこうに先立さきだち、住民じゅうみん説明会せつめいかいが行おこなわれた。

    Before construction began, a briefing was held for local residents.

  3. このアプリの使用しように先立さきだち、ライセンス契約けいやくを読よんでおいてください。

    Please read the license agreement prior to running this application.

Tested 2 times in past papers

N2 · Dec 2022, Q47N1 · Dec 2017, Q26