1.
forerunner; pioneer; the first of its kind
The earliest example of something — a person, work, event, or phenomenon — that precedes and paves the way for others. Commonly used of pioneers in a field, early signs of a trend, or seasonal firsts such as the first flowers of spring.
Nominalization of the verb 先駆ける ('to precede; to lead the way'), which is itself a compound of 先 ('ahead; earlier') and 駆ける ('to gallop; to run'). The original image is of galloping ahead of others in battle.
Usage
Used in both literal and figurative senses. Most often seen in three patterns: (1) 'pioneer/forerunner' of a movement or field (〜の先駆け), (2) 'harbinger' of a season or change (春の先駆け), and (3) as an adverbial expression 〜に先駆けて ('ahead of; before; leading the way in'). Register is slightly formal and literary.
Common collocations
- 〜の先駆けとなる: to become a pioneer/forerunner of ~
- 〜の先駆けである: to be a pioneer of ~
- 春の先駆け: a harbinger of spring
- 時代の先駆け: a forerunner of an era
- 業界の先駆け: a pioneer in the industry
- 〜に先駆けて: ahead of ~; before ~
Similar words
- 先駆者: pioneer (person) — same meaning but specifically a person; on-yomi reading
- パイオニア: pioneer — loanword; common in business and technology contexts
- 草分け: pioneer; founder — emphasizes being the one who 'cleared the grass,' i.e., opened up a new area
- 先がけて: the adverbial form; used in set expressions to mean 'ahead of'
- 魁: alternative kanji spelling, more literary