Translation guide
To prevent something from happening or to act before someone else does. Japanese expresses this through verbs of prevention, preemption, and anticipation.
To stop an event or action before it occurs, often by taking measures in advance.
To take action ahead of another person, often to gain an advantage or prevent their action.
Idiom meaning 'to take the initiative' or 'to beat someone to the punch'. Implies acting first to forestall an opponent's move.
競合他社に先手を打って新製品を発売した。
We launched the new product to forestall our competitors.
To foresee a question, objection, or need and address it before it is raised.
To deal with something proactively by anticipating it. Literally 'go ahead and handle'.
顧客の質問に先回りして対処した。
We forestalled the customer's questions by addressing them in advance.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'forestall'. Choose the expression based on whether you mean prevention, preemption, or anticipation.
General verb for preventing something undesirable. Often used with nouns like 事故 (accident) or 再発 (recurrence).
事故を防ぐために、安全対策を強化した。
We strengthened safety measures to forestall accidents.
Literally 'prevent before it happens'. Emphasizes stopping something in advance.
問題を未然に防ぐことが大切だ。
It's important to forestall problems before they arise.
To obstruct or block an action, often used in formal or news contexts.
テロ計画を未然に阻止した。
They forestalled the terrorist plot.
To prevent, especially in medical or health contexts (e.g., disease prevention).
インフルエンザを予防するためにワクチンを接種した。
I got vaccinated to forestall the flu.
To outmaneuver or steal a march on someone, often with a nuance of cunning.
彼は私を出し抜いて契約を取った。
He forestalled me and got the contract.
Literary phrase meaning 'to forestall someone's move' or 'to take the wind out of someone's sails'.
敵の攻撃の機先を制した。
We forestalled the enemy's attack.
To preempt or take in advance, often used for trends or needs.
市場のニーズを先取りして商品を開発した。
We developed the product to forestall market needs.