先に

• Reading: さきに
• Romaji: sakini
• Kanji breakdown: 先 (saki) — ahead, before, previous
• Pronunciation: /sa.ki.ni/

Meaning

Previously; before; earlier; first. Indicates temporal or sequential priority.

An adverb with two main uses: (1) 'earlier/before' referring to something that happened previously (先に述べた — mentioned earlier), and (2) 'first/ahead' indicating doing something before others or before something else (先に行って — go ahead first). Extremely common in both spoken and written Japanese. Context determines whether it means 'previously' or 'first.' More versatile than まず (first) and less formal than 事前に (in advance).

Examples

1. 先に言ってくれれば準備できたのに。 If you had told me beforehand, I could have been prepared.
2. お先に失礼します。 Excuse me for leaving ahead of you.
3. 先に述べたように計画を進めていく。 We will move forward with the plan as mentioned earlier.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, work, conversation, writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 先 (saki, ahead/before/tip) + the particle に (ni, at/to). 先 is one of the most fundamental directional and temporal words in Japanese, originally referring to the tip or point of something, then extending to mean 'ahead' in both space and time.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal