How to Say ‘First; before that’ in Japanese
先に
saki ni
[sah-kee nee]
💬 Usage Tip: [先に] means "first" or "ahead of the others." In service flow, it often marks what should go out earlier.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Order timing matters in Japanese dining service, so words like [先に] help coordinate pacing between kitchen and floor staff.
Phrase Breakdown
先
saki
[sah-kee]
ahead; first
Means earlier or before something else in order or timing.
先を確認します。
I will check the earlier one first.
に
ni
[nee]
in; at; to
A particle here making 先に mean first or beforehand.
先に出します。
I will serve it first.
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