1.
excuse me for going first; I'll go ahead
A polite expression used when leaving before others, such as leaving the office or a gathering earlier than colleagues. Short for お先に失礼します.
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving first.
今日は用事があるので、お先に。
I have something to do today, so I'll head out first.
お先に帰らせていただいてもよろしいですか。
Would it be all right if I leave before you?
2.
after you; go ahead; please go first
Used to politely yield to someone, inviting them to go before you — for example, letting someone enter an elevator or go through a door first.
お先にどうぞ。
Please go ahead.
エレベーターの前で「お先にどうぞ」と声をかけた。
In front of the elevator, I said 'Please go ahead.'
お風呂、お先にいただきました。
I went ahead and took my bath first.
A versatile polite expression with two main uses. In sense 1, it apologizes for leaving before others, commonly heard at the end of the workday. In sense 2, it politely invites someone else to go first.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- お先に失礼します: excuse me for leaving first (full form, workplace standard)
- お先にどうぞ: please go ahead (yielding to someone)
- お先に頂きます: excuse me for going first (more humble)
- お先に: short form, used casually among coworkers or family
USAGE:
Sense 1 is the more common workplace usage. When leaving the office before colleagues, saying お先に失礼します is standard etiquette. The typical response from colleagues is お疲れ様でした (good work today).
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- お先に失礼します: the full polite form for leaving first
- どうぞ: please (go ahead) — less specific, more general invitation
- 先に行くね: I'll go ahead — casual/informal version