How to Say ‘A first’ in Japanese
Aは先に
A wa saki ni
[ay wah sah-kee nee]
💬 Usage Tip: [Aは先に] is incomplete by itself; it usually needs a verb like [やる] or [する]: [Aは先にやって].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japanese, dropping the verb can be natural in conversation when context is clear, especially during step-by-step instructions.
Phrase Breakdown
A
A
[ay]
A (placeholder variable; e.g., option A)
The letter “A” is used as a label for a choice/item (like A/B). In Japanese it’s read as the English letter name.
Aは先にやって、Bはあとでいい。
Do A first, and B can be later.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker (as for; regarding)
は marks the topic of the sentence. It’s written は but usually pronounced “wa.”
Aは先に終わらせよう。
Let’s finish A first.
先に
saki ni
first; ahead of; before (others)
Means “before/first.” Often used for order of actions (先にA, then B).
先にこれをやってください。
Please do this first.
Words in this phrase
先
saki
[sah-kee]
ahead; first; earlier; previous (kanji used in さき)
先 is the kanji for “ahead/previous/first.” In this pattern it’s read さき (saki) meaning “first/before.”
Aは先に始めてください。
Please start A first.
に
ni
[nee]
to; at; in; for (particle)
に marks a time/sequence point or target. With 先に it means “first / beforehand.”
Aは先にしてね。
Do A first, okay?
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