“saki ni・o-saki ni”: First / Ahead / In Advance [JLPT N3]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
Going ahead in time or space — and the workplace phrase お先に失礼します
“saki ni・o-saki ni”: First / Ahead (going before in time or space)
「先に（さきに）」 means “before others, ahead, in advance” — either earlier in time (you go first, I'll do it first) or ahead in space. E.g. 「君は先に行って」 (you go ahead). With the honorific お it becomes 「お先に」, a courtesy when leaving: 「お先に失礼します」 (excuse me for leaving first / I'll be heading off).
🧠 Core nuance: getting “out in front” in order or position
The core is “before/ahead”: earlier than others in time (do/go first) or located in front in space, with a sense of “a step ahead.” In Japanese workplace culture, 「お先に失礼します」 is the polite phrase you must say when leaving before colleagues — the one leaving says お先に, those staying reply お疲れ様でした.
📌 How to Connect
| Use | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 先に ＋ action | do something first (earlier) | 先に食べて |
| お先に (honorific greeting) | courtesy when leaving first | お先に失礼します |
| 先に (space) | up ahead | この先にコンビニがある |
💬 Example Sentences
- 君は先に行って。後で追いつくから。(You go ahead — I'll catch up later.) — earlier in time
- お先に失礼します。(I'll be heading off now.) — leaving greeting
- お腹すいたなら、先に食べていいよ。(If you're hungry, go ahead and eat first.)
- この道をまっすぐ行くと、先に駅が見えます。(Go straight and you'll see the station up ahead.) — space
- 「お先にどうぞ」「ありがとうございます」。(“After you.” “Thank you.”) — yielding
🔄 Compare: 先に vs まず vs 前もって vs 先(さき)
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 先に | before others/something (earlier in order) | 先に行く |
| まず | “first” (the first step of a procedure) | まず説明する |
| 前もって | “in advance, beforehand” (prepare ahead) | 前もって予約する |
| 先 (さき) | “ahead/future/just now” (a noun) | この先／先のこと |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Using お先に for others: 「お先に失礼します」 is said when you leave first; to let others go first, use 「お先にどうぞ」.
- Confusing it with まず: 先に is “before others”; まず is “step one” — don't swap them.
- Imperative is rude: ✗ 先に失礼しろ → use the polite 「お先に失礼します」.
- Dropping お: the formal greeting is お先に; bare 先に失礼 is more casual.
💡 Nuance & When to Use
先に・お先に is a super-practical word in daily life and at work: letting someone go first, doing something first, or pointing ahead all use 先に; and 「お先に失礼します」 is the essential courtesy when leaving work or a seat first — using it right sounds well-mannered. Master it (vs まず and 前もって) for more polished daily and workplace communication. A must at N3.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- Common at N3: 先に (earlier in order/space); situational items on お先に失礼します.
- Distinction: 先に (before others) vs まず (the first step) vs 前もって (in advance).
- お先に is used when you leave first — its usage scene is often tested.
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. （下班離開時）「___失礼します。」
(A) お先に (B) わざと (C) せっかく (D) たまに
Q2. 「君は___行って。後で行くから。」（你先走）
(A) 先に (B) あとで (C) もう (D) まだ
Q3. 「お先に失礼します」を使う場面は?
(A) 比別人先離開(下班/離席)時的招呼
(B) 第一次見面
(C) 道謝
(D) 道歉遲到
Q4. 「先に」と「まず」の違いは?
(A) 先に＝順序/時間在前;まず＝步驟的第一步
(B) 兩者完全相同
(C) 先に＝事先
(D) まず＝最後
Q5. 用法が正しいのは?
(A) お先に失礼します。 (B) お先に失礼してください（自己離開時）。
(C) 先に失礼しろ。 (D) お先まず失礼。
答案解析
1. (A) お先に ── 離開招呼。
2. (A) 先に ── 你先走。
3. (A) ── 比別人先離開時的招呼。
4. (A) ── 先に 順序在前;まず 步驟第一。
5. (A) ── 「お先に失礼します」正確(自己離開不用てください)。