KANAKUMA

JLPT N4 · Time and reason

前に

Before doing

Meaning

Shows an action that happens before another one. It is used with the dictionary form of a verb or with a noun＋の.

Formation

  1. The verb is always in the dictionary form: 寝るまえに (even about the past)
  2. A noun takes の: 食事のまえに

When to use it

Core use
Before doing

Examples

20 sentences

  • 寝るねる前まえに歯はをみがきます

    I brush my teeth before going to bed.

  • 日本にほんへ行くいく前まえに日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしました

    I studied Japanese before going to Japan.

  • 食事しょくじの前まえに手てを洗っあらってください

    Please wash your hands before meals.

  • 会社かいしゃへ行くいく前まえに新聞しんぶんを読みよみます

    I read the newspaper before going to work.

  • 使うつかう前まえに説明せつめいを読んよんでください

    Please read the instructions before using it.

  • 出かけるでかける前まえに窓まどを閉めしめました

    I closed the window before going out.

  • テストの前まえに復習ふくしゅうします

    I review before the test.

  • シャワーを浴びるあびる前まえに服ふくを準備じゅんびします

    I prepare my clothes before taking a shower.

12 more examples

  • 帰るかえる前まえにメールを送りおくります

    I send an email before going home.

  • 寝るねる前まえに薬くすりを飲みのみます

    I take medicine before going to bed.

  • 受付うけつけで名前なまえを書くかく前まえに荷物にもつを置きおきます

    I will put down my luggage before writing my name at reception.

  • 手紙てがみを入れるいれる前まえに青いあおい封筒ふうとうを選びえらびます

    I will choose a blue envelope before putting the letter inside.

  • 古いふるい雑誌ざっしを捨てるすてる前まえにもう一度いちど読みよみます

    I will read the old magazines once more before throwing them away.

  • 料理りょうりを始めるはじめる前まえに台所だいどころの窓まどを開けあけます

    I will open the kitchen window before starting to cook.

  • 旅行りょこうの写真しゃしんを見るみる前まえにパソコンをつけます

    I will turn on the computer before looking at the travel photos.

  • 手紙てがみを送るおくる前まえに切手きってを貼りはります

    I will put on a stamp before sending the letter.

  • 自分じぶんの経験けいけんを話すはなす前まえに友達ともだちの話はなしを聞きききます

    I will listen to my friend before talking about my own experience.

  • 電車でんしゃに乗るのる前まえに駅えきの名前なまえを確認かくにんします

    I will check the station name before getting on the train.

  • 家いえを出るでる前まえにかばんに鍵かぎを入れいれます

    I will put my key in my bag before leaving the house.

  • 晩ご飯ばんごはんを食べるたべる前まえに家族かぞくを呼びよびます

    I will call my family before eating dinner.

Important notes

  • The verb before 前に names the action that has not happened yet at the reference time.

Common mistakes

  • Use dictionary form even in a past story: 寝る前に読んだ, not 寝た前に.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. 帰るかえる前まえにメールを送りおくります
  2. 旅行りょこうの写真しゃしんを見るみる前まえにパソコンをつけます
  3. 晩ご飯ばんごはんを食べるたべる前まえに家族かぞくを呼びよびます

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