1.
prior to; before; in advance of
Used to indicate that something happens before or in preparation for another event. Often takes the form ～に先立って.
会議に先立って資料を配る。
To hand out materials prior to the meeting.
開会に先立って、会長から挨拶があった。
Prior to the opening, there was a greeting from the chairman.
本番に先立って、入念なリハーサルが行われた。
A thorough rehearsal was conducted prior to the actual performance.
2.
the other day; recently; a few days ago
Refers to something that happened in the recent past. A slightly formal alternative to この間.
先立ってお話した件ですが。
Regarding the matter I mentioned the other day.
先立ってはお世話になりました。
Thank you for your help the other day.
先立って届いた書類を確認しました。
I checked the documents that arrived the other day.
Has two distinct uses as an adverb. In sense 1, it functions as a formal conjunction meaning 'prior to' and typically appears as ～に先立って. In sense 2, it is a slightly formal way of saying 'the other day.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～に先立って: prior to ~; ahead of ~
- 先立って + past event: the other day; recently
SIMILAR WORDS (sense 1):
- ～の前に: before ~ — everyday, less formal
- ～に先駆けて: ahead of; pioneering — implies being first/early
- あらかじめ: in advance; beforehand
SIMILAR WORDS (sense 2):
- この間: the other day — casual
- 先日: the other day — polite/formal
- このほど: recently — formal