Translation guide
How to express the idea of going first, being first, or taking the lead in Japanese, depending on context.
Expressing that someone or something goes first in a line, order, or sequence.
A common way to say 'go first' in terms of physical movement or order.
先に行ってください。
Please go ahead (first).
彼は先に行った。
He went first.
Refers to the head or front of a line; often used when someone is at the very front.
彼が先頭を歩いた。
He walked at the front (first).
Emphasizes being the very first; often used in casual contexts.
私が一番最初に着いた。
I arrived first (the very first).
Expressing that someone takes the lead or initiates an action.
Means 'do it first' or 'go ahead and do it' in a casual sense.
先にやってもいい？
Can I go first (do it first)?
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to take the initiative' or 'make the first move', often in strategic contexts.
彼は先手を打って攻撃した。
He took the initiative and attacked first.
Means 'taking the lead' or 'initiative', often used in formal or written contexts.
Expressing who goes first in a game, match, or turn-based activity.
Used in games or sports to indicate the team or player who goes first (offense).
先攻はどっち？
Who goes first?
Deciding who goes first by rock-paper-scissors.
じゃんけんで先を決めよう。
Let's decide who goes first with rock-paper-scissors.
Expressing that someone is ahead of others in a race, progress, or development.
Means 'to be ahead' or 'to go ahead of others'.
彼はいつも先を行っている。
He is always ahead (going first).
Often used in business or technology to mean 'preceding' or 'going first'.
先行企業が市場を支配している。
The first-moving companies dominate the market.
The English phrase 'going first' can be expressed in many ways in Japanese. Avoid directly translating word-for-word; instead, choose the expression that fits the context (order, initiative, game, etc.).
彼は率先してプロジェクトを始めた。
He took the lead and started the project.