By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
The particle 前に（まえに） is used to express the meaning of **”before”** in Japanese. It can refer to a point in time before an event or action happens, or it can refer to doing something before another action occurs.
It can be used to indicate both time (before a specific time) and action (before performing a particular task).
🔍 Structure
- Time: ～前に → Before (time)
- Action: Verb (dictionary form) + 前に → Before (doing something)
Example with time: 10時前に起きました (I woke up before 10 o’clock.)
Example with action: 食べる前に手を洗いましょう (Let’s wash our hands before eating.)
📝 Example Sentences
- 10時前に起きました。
Jū-ji mae ni okimashita.
I woke up before 10 o’clock. - 映画を見る前にご飯を食べます。
Eiga o miru mae ni gohan o tabemasu.
I will eat before watching the movie. - 学校に行く前に朝ご飯を食べました。
Gakkō ni iku mae ni asagohan o tabemashita.
I ate breakfast before going to school. - 宿題をする前に休憩します。
Shukudai o suru mae ni kyūkei shimasu.
I will take a break before doing my homework.
📚 Grammar Notes
- 前に can be used to show an action completed before another action happens.
- It can refer to time, such as a specific moment (e.g., 10時前) or a general period (e.g., 朝前 – before morning).
- Verb + 前に means to do something before performing a specific task or action.
- When referring to actions, use the dictionary form of the verb (e.g., 食べる, 見る, etc.).
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank with 前に:
- ご飯を食べる＿＿お風呂に入ります。
- 仕事を始める＿＿準備をします。
- 宿題をする＿＿遊びます。
✔ Answers:
- ご飯を食べる前にお風呂に入ります。
- 仕事を始める前に準備をします。
- 宿題をする前に遊びます。
2. Translate into Japanese:
- We will eat before going to school.
- I finished my homework before watching TV.
- Take a break before starting work.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 私たちは学校に行く前に食べます。
- 私はテレビを見る前に宿題を終わらせました。
- 仕事を始める前に休憩を取ってください。
🈶 Vocabulary & Kanji Breakdown
| Word | Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 前 | 前 | まえ | Before, front |
| 起きる | 起 | おきる | To wake up |
| 食べる | 食 | たべる | To eat |
| 見る | 見 | みる | To watch, to see |
| 学校 | 学校 | がっこう | School |
| 宿題 | 宿題 | しゅくだい | Homework |
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～後で（あとで）: “After (doing something)”
- ～から: “From” or “Since”
- ～時（とき）: “When” or “At the time of” doing something
🧠 Summary
- 前に is used to indicate something happening before a specific time or action.
- Level: JLPT N5
- Form: Time/Action + 前に
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
