prior to; in advance of

に先立って means doing something before a major event as preparation. Attach it to a noun or a verb's dictionary form with の. The modifying form is に先立つ. It is formal and used for ceremonies, launches, and projects.

Examples

• 開会かいかいに先立さきだって、社長しゃちょうが挨拶あいさつをした。

  Kaikai ni sakidatte, shachou ga aisatsu o shita.

  Prior to the opening, the president gave a greeting.

• 出発しゅっぱつに先立さきだち、荷物にもつを確認かくにんした。

  Shuppatsu ni sakidachi, nimotsu o kakunin shita.

  Before departure, I checked the luggage.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 社長 company president
• 挨拶 greeting
• する to do
• 出発 departure
• 荷物 luggage; package
• 確認 confirmation, check

Related patterns · Time and sequence

• 〜際に on the occasion of; when
• 〜て以来 ever since
• 〜次第 as soon as
• 〜たとたんに the moment that; just as
• 〜最中に in the middle of; right while