Japanese dictionary
How to say "before" in Japanese
〜の前に〜のまえに · no mae ni
"Before" in Japanese is 〜の前に (no mae ni) after a noun, as in 会議の前に (before the meeting). After a verb, use the dictionary form plus 前に.
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Ways to say "before" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 〜の前に〜のまえに · no mae ni | Before (a noun or event). |
| 〜る前に〜るまえに · mae ni | Before doing something (with a verb). |
| 前にまえに · mae ni | Before; previously. |
How to use it
With verbs, the verb before 前に is always the dictionary form: 寝る前に (before sleeping), even for past events.
Alone, 前に means "before" or "once," as in 前に来たことがあります (I've been here before).
Example sentences
- 会議の前に資料を読んでください。Kaigi no mae ni shiryō o yonde kudasai.Please read the materials before the meeting.
- 寝る前にメールを確認します。Neru mae ni mēru o kakunin shimasu.I check my email before going to bed.
- 前に一度、京都に行ったことがあります。Mae ni ichido, Kyōto ni itta koto ga arimasu.I've been to Kyoto once before.
- 出かける前に電話してください。Dekakeru mae ni denwa shite kudasai.Please call me before you leave.
- 九時前に会社に着きます。Kuji mae ni kaisha ni tsukimasu.I'll arrive at the office before nine.
- 食事の前に手を洗いましょう。Shokuji no mae ni te o araimashō.Let's wash our hands before eating.
Kanji in this word
Questions
Which verb form comes before 前に?
Always the dictionary form: 食べる前に (before eating), 行く前に (before going), even when talking about the past.
How do you say "I've been here before" in Japanese?
Say 前に来たことがあります (mae ni kita koto ga arimasu).
Using Japanese at work?
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