先に (Sakini) is a Japanese adverb meaning “previously, before, earlier, formerly”.
Meanings
- adverbpreviously; before; earlier; formerly; recently
- adverbfirst; before (something or someone else); ahead (of); earlier
- adverbbeforehand; in advance; ahead of time
Examples
私が先にそこへ着くよ。
I'll get there before you will.
彼が私より先に水中に入った。
He went into the water before me.
俺が帰る前に、先に寝てていいよ。
I don't mind if you go to bed before I get home.
Sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).