Translation and Meaning of: 予め - arakajime

If you've ever found yourself trying to say "in advance" in Japanese, you've probably come across the term 予め (あらかじめ). This versatile little word appears in both formal and informal contexts, from notices at train stations to everyday conversations. In this article, we will uncover its etymology, what makes its kanji so interesting, and how to use it correctly. Here at Suki Nihongo, you will also find ready-made sentences to include in Anki and master this adverb once and for all.

What many people don't know is that 予め carries a nuance of careful preparation — almost like a gentle warning that something is coming. No wonder it is a champion in manuals and official communications. But does its pictogram have to do with "forecast"? And why do the Japanese insist on using it even when a simple "before" would suffice? We'll address this and more, including memorization tips that even a beginner will love.

The Surprise Behind the Kanji 予

The kanji 予, by itself, means "preliminary" or "provisional" — but its history is much more interesting than it seems. Originally, in ancient China, this character represented someone stretching their arms to prepare something (hence the connection with anticipation). Interestingly, it also appears in words like 予定 (よてい) (plan) and 予想 (よそう) (forecast), always conveying the idea of something that is yet to come.

In the composition of 予め, the kanji does not work alone. The okurigana かじめ comes from the archaic verb かじむ, which meant "to prepare carefully". Together, they form an adverb that not only indicates time but also a deliberate action of getting ahead. Want a trick to remember? Think of 予 as a waiter holding a tray (the upper strokes) and serving something before you even order.

Where and How the Japanese Use あらかじめ

In Tokyo, it's impossible to spend a day without hearing あらかじめ — whether in the subway announcement ("あらかじめ切符をご用意ください") or on the izakaya menu ("予めご了承ください"). Unlike 前もって (which sounds more casual), it carries a weight of responsibility. When a doctor says "あらかじめ検査を受けます", they are suggesting not only a time but a necessary protocol.

But pay attention: in everyday conversations, young people often replace it with "先に" because it is shorter. The golden rule? Use 予め when you want to sound polite or make it clear that there is a step-by-step process (forms, legal procedures). A teacher of mine used to joke: "It's the word that prevents excuses — if something goes wrong, you've already warned them!".

Questions Everyone Asks (and the Answers)

"Can I exchange for 事前に?" Almost always, yes — but it loses that tone of "active preparation." Another common question is about the reading: although 予 alone is "yo," here it becomes "ara" due to the influence of ancient Japanese. And yes, even natives sometimes confuse it, incorrectly writing it as 荒かじめ (which mixes with "violent").

To solidify your memory, try creating flashcards with real situations: maintenance notices ("あらかじめお知らせします"), app terms ("予めダウンロード") or even recipes (予めオーブンを温めておく). A study buddy memorized with a song: "Ara-kajime, ara-kajime, everything important comes first!". Ridiculous? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• あらかじめ (arakajime) - previously, beforehand
• 事前に (jizen ni) - before the event, beforehand
• 予めに (arakume ni) - it also means previously, but it is less common in use

予め

Romaji: arakajime
Kana: あらかじめ
Type: Adverb
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: in advance; in advance; previously

Meaning in English: beforehand;in advance;previously

Definition: Plan and prepare in advance.

Example Sentences - (予め) arakajime

See below some example sentences:

予め計画を立てることが重要です。

Yobunme keikaku wo tateru koto ga juuyou desu

It is important to do early planning.

It is important to make a plan in advance.

• 予め - adverb that means "in advance" or "previously".
• 計画 - noun meaning "plan" or "project".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 立てる - verb that means "to do" or "to create."
• こと - noun that indicates an action or event.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important" or "crucial".
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence.