1.
pioneering; groundbreaking; ahead of its time
Describes a person, work, idea, or initiative that leads the way in a field, doing something before others do. Usually carries positive evaluation: praises originality and vision. Common in reviews of art, research, technology, and social movements.
先駆的な研究。
Pioneering research.
彼女は女性作家として先駆的な存在だった。
She was a pioneering figure as a female writer.
この作品は、当時としては極めて先駆的な試みだったと評価されている。
This work is regarded as an extremely pioneering attempt for its time.
Compound of 先駆 ('pioneer; forerunner', literally 'riding ahead') and the adjectival suffix 〜的 ('-ical'). Written-language feel; common in formal writing, reviews, and obituaries.
USAGE:
- Used as a な-adjective: 先駆的な試み ('a pioneering attempt').
- Often combined with 存在 ('figure; presence'), 役割 ('role'), 業績 ('achievements'), 作品 ('work').
- The related noun 先駆者 ('pioneer; trailblazer') is used for people.
- Adverbial use 先駆的に is less common than with many 〜的 adjectives; prefer 先駆けて ('ahead of') for the adverbial idea.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 先駆的な研究: pioneering research
- 先駆的な役割を果たす: to play a pioneering role
- 先駆的な試み: pioneering attempt
- 先駆的な存在: a pioneering figure
- 先駆的な業績: pioneering achievements
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 画期的: epoch-making; revolutionary — stresses a decisive break with the past rather than being the first.
- 革新的: innovative — emphasizes novelty of method or technology.
- 先進的: advanced; progressive — emphasizes being at the forefront of development rather than being first.
- 独創的: original; creative — emphasizes uniqueness of ideas, not necessarily being first.