KANAKUMA

JLPT N5 · Time and reason

Vる／Nの + 前に

Places an event before an action or event

Meaning

Places an event before an action or event.

Formation

  1. The verb is always in the dictionary form: 寝る前に (even about the past)
  2. A noun takes の: 食事の前に; a span goes directly: 三日前に

When to use it

Core use
Places an event before an action or event

Examples

15 sentences

  • 寝るねる前まえに歯はを磨きみがきます

    I brush my teeth before going to bed.

  • 食事しょくじの前まえに手てを洗いあらいます

    I wash my hands before a meal.

  • 食事しょくじの前まえには必ずかならず手てを洗いますあらいます

    I always wash my hands before meals.

  • 寝るねる前まえに、明日あしたの天気てんきを調べますしらべます

    Before going to bed, I check tomorrow's weather.

  • 試験しけんの前まえに名前なまえを書いてかいてください

    Please write your name before the exam.

  • 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.

7 more examples

  • 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 stays in the dictionary form even about the past: 寝る前に本を読みました. A noun takes の: 食事の前に.

Common mistakes

  • A length of time goes straight before 前に: 三日前に (three days ago), not 三日の前に. Do not change 寝る to 寝た before 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. 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
  2. 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
  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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