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先陣を切る (せんじんをきる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ru)
take the lead ; spearhead ; be the first to act
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression used when someone initiates an action, leads a charge, or is the first to do something, often in competitive or pioneering contexts.
That company is spearheading the field of environmental technology.
Kanji 陣 camp, battle array, ranks Similar words 先せん 頭とう に 立た つ 先頭に立つ means to stand at the front or take a leading position physically or figuratively, while 先陣を切る emphasizes being the first to initiate action or break new ground.
先さき 駆が ける 先駆ける also means to be a pioneer or forerunner, but is more formal and often used in historical or literary contexts, whereas 先陣を切る is a common idiomatic verb phrase.
Etymology From 先陣 (vanguard, advance guard) + を + 切る (cut, break through). The image is of cutting through enemy lines as the vanguard, extended to mean taking the initiative in any endeavor.
