Posted inN2 Grammar

Master “に先立ち”: Japanese Grammar for Announcing Important Events (JLPT N2)

Posted inN2 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

“Prior to,” “before,” “in advance of.” It indicates that an action or state occurs immediately before a significant event or action.

🎯 Primary Function

To mark a preparatory action or an announcement that happens just before an important, often public or formal, event. It emphasizes the preceding nature of the action.

📋 Grammar Structure

Noun + に先立ち / に先立って Verb (Dictionary Form) + に先立ち / に先立って *Note: に先立ち is the 連用形 (ren’youkei) of the verb 先立つ, used adverbially. に先立って is the て形 (te-kei) and functions similarly, often interchangeable, but に先立ち can sometimes feel slightly more formal or set phrase-like.*

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Highly appropriate for official announcements, ceremonies, business meetings, public speeches.

😊 Informal Situations

Rarely used; sounds overly formal and stiff.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in official documents, news articles, formal letters, public notices.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in formal speeches, presentations, or announcements, but less common in daily conversation.

💡 Common Applications

Announcements/Notices
Used for public or formal announcements that precede an event.
Example: イベントに先立ち、重要なお知らせがあります。(Prior to the event, there is an important announcement.)
Preparatory Actions
Describes actions or preparations taken immediately before a major event.
Example: 開店に先立ち、スタッフの研修が行われました。(Prior to the store opening, staff training was conducted.)
Formal Greetings/Introductions
Used to introduce a preliminary action or statement before a main event, such as a speech or presentation.
Example: ご講演に先立ち、一言ご挨拶申し上げます。(Prior to your lecture, I would like to offer a brief greeting.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in formal and written contexts; rare in casual speech.
🎚️
Difficulty
JLPT N2
Example Sentences
新製品の発売に先立ち、キャンペーンを実施します。
Prior to the launch of the new product, we will implement a campaign.
会議の開始に先立ち、資料を配布いたしました。
Prior to the start of the meeting, we distributed the materials.
開会式に先立ち、来賓の皆様にスピーチをしていただきました。
Prior to the opening ceremony, we had the distinguished guests give speeches.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Formality
に先立ち carries a high degree of formality, making it suitable for official or public announcements and formal writing.
Example: 公演に先立ち、主催者からの挨拶がありました。(Kōen ni sakidachi, shusaisha kara no aisatsu ga arimashita.) – Prior to the performance, there was a greeting from the organizers.
Significant Events
It is typically used when the event being preceded is of considerable importance, formality, or scale. It’s not for everyday actions.
Example: 結婚式に先立ち、家族だけで食事会を開いた。(Kekkonshiki ni sakidachi, kazoku dake de shokujikai o hiraeta.) – Prior to the wedding ceremony, only the family held a dinner party.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it in casual conversation or for trivial events.
✅ Use simpler expressions like 「〜の前に」 or 「〜する前に」 for everyday situations.
に先立ち is too formal for informal contexts and will sound unnatural.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
undefined

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Very high politeness/formality.
Social Situations: Used in business, public speaking, ceremonial events, news reporting, and official documents.
Regional Variations: No significant regional variations in its usage.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜前に vs 〜に先立ち
〜前に is a general expression for “before,” applicable to any situation, formal or informal. 〜に先立ち is specifically for formal, significant events, implying a preparatory or introductory action.
When to use: Use 〜前に for everyday “before”; use 〜に先立ち for formal “prior to” important events.
〜に際して vs 〜に先立ち
〜に際して means “at the time of” or “on the occasion of” a specific event, often referring to actions done *during* or *in conjunction with* the event. 〜に先立ち is strictly “before” the event.
When to use: Use 〜に際して for actions related to the event’s occurrence; use 〜に先立ち for actions preceding the event.
〜にあたって vs 〜に先立ち
〜にあたって means “at the time of” or “upon” commencing something important, often emphasizing the start of a significant new phase or task. It can imply actions taken *at the point of commencement*. 〜に先立ち is clearly “before.”
When to use: Use 〜にあたって for actions or statements made upon starting something significant; use 〜に先立ち for actions strictly preceding an event.

📝 Conjugation Notes

Always attaches to a Noun or Verb in dictionary form. The noun does not need any particle before に先立ち. The verb is always in its plain form.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

The pronunciation is にさきだち (ni-sa-ki-da-chi) with a flat intonation on に and a slight rise on さき, then flat for だち. The て-form (に先立って) has a similar rhythm.

🧠 Memory Tips

Think of “先立つ” as “to precede” or “to go before.” The particle “に” marks the event that is being preceded. Imagine a red carpet rolled out *before* a grand entrance.

Vocabulary List
新製品
shinseihin
new product
発売
hatsubai
launch, release
キャンペーン
kyanpeen
campaign
実施する
jisshi suru
to implement, to carry out
会議
kaigi
meeting
開始
kaishi
start, commencement
資料
materials, data
Kanji List
先
さき
before, ahead
立
た
to stand
新
しん
new
製
せい
make, manufacture
品
ひん
goods, product
発
はつ
start, discharge
売
ばい
sell
実
じっ
truth, reality, implement
施
し
conduct, execute
会
かい
meeting, assembly
議
ぎ
deliberation, discussion
Practice Exercises
来週のイベント______、チケットの予約が必要です。
に際して
に先立ち
において
にあたって
新しい法律が施行される______、国民への説明会が開かれました。
前に
と同時に
に先立って
際して
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