まえに
mae ni
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
"before ~".
前に means "before". After a verb it takes the dictionary form, always, even if the sentence is about the past: 寝る前に歯を磨きます "I brush my teeth before going to bed". After a noun it takes の: 食事の前に "before the meal". After a length of time it means "ago": 三年前に "three years ago".
Daily routines (before bed, before meals), instructions (wash hands before eating), and saying when something happened (two years ago).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
V-dict + 前に ／ Noun + の前に ／ Duration + 前に
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Verb (dictionary form) | 寝る前に | before going to bed |
| Noun + の | 食事の前に | before the meal |
| Duration | 三年前に | three years ago |
Natural examples
寝る前に歯を磨きます。
ねる まえに はを みがきます。
I brush my teeth before going to bed.
Dictionary form + 前に.
食事の前に手を洗ってください。
しょくじの まえに てを あらってください。
Please wash your hands before the meal.
Noun + の前に.
三年前に日本に来ました。
さんねん まえに にほんに きました。
I came to Japan three years ago.
Duration + 前に = ago.
日本に来る前に、日本語を少し勉強しました。
にほんに くる まえに、にほんごを すこし べんきょうしました。
Before coming to Japan, I studied a little Japanese.
Even in a past sentence, the verb before 前に is 来る, not 来た.
試験の前に、よく復習してください。
しけんの まえに、よく ふくしゅうしてください。
Please review well before the exam.
Noun + の + 前に.
Similar grammar and the difference
The opposite: "after doing", with the て-form. Compare side by side
Required before 前に. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 来た前に
- ✓
- 来る前に
- Why
- 前に always takes the dictionary form, whatever the tense of the sentence.
- ✗
- 食事前に (as N5 answer)
- ✓
- 食事の前に
- Why
- A noun needs の before 前に.
- ✗
- 寝ます前に
- ✓
- 寝る前に
- Why
- ます is never used before 前に.
The verb before 前に is ALWAYS dictionary form, even in past sentences: 日本に来る前に日本語を勉強しました. Opposite: V-た + 後で（あとで）／ Noun + の後で (N4, but 〜てから #39 is the N5 equivalent).
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Blank + 前に with a verb → dictionary form, even if the main verb is ました. Blank between a noun and 前に → の.
- 前に vs てから is a favourite pair: read which action happens first.
Frequently asked questions
What does まえに mean?
"before ~". 前に means "before". After a verb it takes the dictionary form, always, even if the sentence is about the past: 寝る前に歯を磨きます "I brush my teeth before going to bed". After a noun it takes の: 食事の前に "before the meal". After a length of time it means "ago": 三年前に "three years ago".
How do you form まえに?
V-dict + 前に ／ Noun + の前に ／ Duration + 前に. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is まえに used?
Daily routines (before bed, before meals), instructions (wash hands before eating), and saying when something happened (two years ago).
What is the difference between まえに and てから?
The opposite: "after doing", with the て-form.
What is the difference between まえに and Dictionary form?
Required before 前に.
What is a common mistake with まえに?
Wrong: 来た前に Right: 来る前に 前に always takes the dictionary form, whatever the tense of the sentence.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? （ ）前に 歯を 磨きます。