先せん決けつ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb

settling first; deciding first; first priority

Used when something must be decided, settled, or dealt with before other matters. Common in patterns such as Xが先決だ and Xを先決する; somewhat formal or written in tone.

• まず安あん全ぜんを確かく保ほすることが先せん決けつだ。

  The first priority is to ensure safety.

• 基き本ほん方ほう針しんを先せん決けつしてから、細こまかい点てんを話はなし合あおう。

  Let's decide the basic policy first, then discuss the details.