〜に先立ち（にさきだち）

About

「先立さきだつ」 is a verb that means "to lead; to precede", and when used in its て form in combination with the に particle, forms the ～に先立さきだって pattern.

～に先立さきだって attaches to nouns and verbs, and is used to say that "X is done in advance of Y", wherein Y is a special event, ceremony, or otherwise important affair. The exception to this is business scenarios, where the ～に先立さきだって pattern can be used more conversationally.

"In advance of" and "prior to" are the most common translations of ～に先立さきだつ.

～に先さき立だって, and its various forms are stiff/formal in tone, and are mainly used in formal spoken and written scenarios.

E.g. 家いえを購入こうにゅうするに先さき立だって、友人ゆうじんや家族かぞくのアドバイスをもらいました。 "I received advice from my friends and family prior to purchasing a house."

E.g. 手術しゅじゅつをするに先さき立だって、医者いしゃから、患者かんじゃと家族かぞくに詳くわしい説明せつめいがあった。 "The doctor gave a detailed explanation to the patient and their family in advance of the surgery."

E.g. 試合しあいに先立さきだち、各かくチームのキャプテンが挨拶あいさつをした。 "Each team's captain introduced themselves in advance of the game."

Summary

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  ～に先立さきだって attaches to nouns and verbs

• 

  ～に先立さきだって is used to say that "X is done in advance of Y", wherein Y is a special event, ceremony, or otherwise important affair

• 

  ～に先さき立だって, and its various forms are stiff/formal in tone