How to say "precede" in Japanese

• 先んじるさきんじるCommon
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'precede' as acting before someone else — forestalling or anticipating. It implies getting ahead of others through one's own initiative, such as moving before a rival or before events unfold.
  彼かれは遥はるかに時代じだいを先さきんじていた。↗

  He was far in advance of his days.
• 進むすすむJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'precede' only in the sense of going ahead of someone — moving forward while another follows. Its core meaning is 'to advance', so it is not the word for abstract precedence.
• 先立つさきだつCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe broadest choice: it covers both 'go before' in space or time and 'take precedence' in importance. Use it when one thing comes first, leads the way, or outranks what follows.
  おごりは破滅はめつに先立さきだつ。↗

  Pride comes before a fall.

Use 「先んじる」 for getting ahead of others by acting first, 「進む」 for literally moving ahead of someone, and 「先立つ」 for going before or taking precedence in order or importance.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 先んじるさきんじるto precede
• 先んずるさきんずるto go before
• 進むすすむto precede
• 先立つさきだつto precede