Japanese grammar
What does ～前に (extension) mean? Japanese grammar N4
～前に (extension) means before ~; ~ ago.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる + 前に N + の前に amount of time + 前に |
| Romaji | ~ mae ni |
| Meaning | before ~; ~ ago |
How to use it
Places one action before another, or states an amount of time counted back from the present.
- Even if the main action is in the past, the verb before 前に still uses the dictionary form: 寝る前に歯を磨きました. This is an easy mistake because Vietnamese speakers tend to conjugate both clauses into the past.
- An amount of time + 前に means "ago": 三日前に. An event noun connects with の, while a verb doesn't add の.
Examples
寝る前に、明日の予定を確認します。
I check tomorrow’s schedule before going to bed.
三日前に図書館でこの本を借りました。
I borrowed this book from the library three days ago.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong寝た前に、歯を磨きました。
Correct寝る前に、歯を磨きました。
The action before 前に uses the dictionary form Vる, even though the whole sentence narrates something in the past.
Exam tips
- The second clause being in the past doesn't change the V before 前に: always choose the dictionary form.