Translation guide
The English verb 'precede' means to come before something else in time, order, or position. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express this concept, from common verbs to formal written patterns.
To happen or exist earlier than something else.
A common verb meaning 'to come before' or 'to precede' in time. Often used in the phrase ～に先立って (prior to ~).
Prior to departure, we made preparations.
Means 'to go ahead' or 'to precede', often used in formal or technical contexts.
This phenomenon preceded the establishment of the theory.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to happen before ~'. Natural in casual conversation.
Small tremors sometimes precede earthquakes.
Literally 'to become a forewarning', used when something signals or heralds a later event.
The silence preceded the storm.
To be positioned earlier in a series, list, or process.
A natural, everyday phrase meaning 'to come first' or 'to come before' in a sequence.
This chapter precedes that chapter.
Also used for order, meaning 'to precede' in a sequence, often in formal writing.
The introduction precedes the main text.
Means 'to be positioned before ~', suitable for describing physical or abstract order.
Specifically means 'to preface' or 'to say something as an introduction'. Used for remarks that precede a main statement.
To walk or move ahead of someone.
The most common way to say 'to go ahead' or 'to precede' in a physical sense.
He preceded me.
Means 'to lead the way' or 'to guide', implying preceding someone to show the path.
The guide preceded us.
Can be used for physical movement, but sounds stiff; more natural in written descriptions.
The lead runner preceded the pack.
To be higher in status, priority, or significance.
Means 'to take precedence' or 'to have priority'. Commonly used for rules, tasks, or values.
Safety precedes profit.
Literally 'to stand above ~', meaning to outrank or precede in hierarchy.
A somewhat literary verb meaning 'to take precedence over' or 'to be ahead of'.
While 先行する is a direct equivalent, it sounds stiff in everyday conversation. Use 先に来る or 先に行く for natural spoken Japanese.
His stories always have a long preamble.
Both mean 'to precede', but 先立つ is more common in temporal contexts (～に先立って), while 先行する is preferred in formal writing for order or sequence. 先立つ can also imply 'to be prior' in a more abstract sense.
The index precedes the appendix.
He preceded his main point with a preface.
This issue precedes all others.
公の利益が私情に先んじるべきだ。
Public interest should precede personal feelings.