Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 8: 3/13

前(まえ)に
Before, In front of

Structure
Verb + 前に
Noun + + 前に
Details
Part of Speech Expression
Word Type Case Marking Particle
Register Standard
品詞 表現
単語の種類 格助詞
使用域 一般
Information
前(まえ)に is used when describing something that is either ‘before something’ (in time), or ‘in front of something’ (a location). It is used with verbs (in their non-past form), or nouns. When used with nouns, is required before 前(まえ)に.
  • 病院(びょういん)前(まえ)にコンビニ。
    A convenience store in front of the hospital.
  • 家(いえ)入(はい)前(まえ)に靴(くつ)脱(ぬ)
    I take off my shoes before I enter the house.
Caution
Another similar construction to 前(まえ)に is 手前(てまえ). 前(まえ)に can be used for something that is in front of any location. However, 手前(てまえ) may only be used when things in front of you (or someone/something else) are being described physically.
  • 銀行(ぎんこう)前(まえ)にあるラーメン屋(や)。
    The ramen shop in front of the bank.
  • 私(わたし)手前(てまえ)ある着物(きもの)高(たか)です
    The kimono right in front of me is expensive.
Slow Male
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食(た)べる前(まえ)に「いただきます」言(い)う
Before eating we say “いただきます”.
Play  
帰(かえ)る前(まえ)に勉強(べんきょう)する
Before going home I will study.
Play  
前(まえ)にここ来(き)ました
I’ve been here before.
Play  
Online
JGram
Books
Marugoto Elementary 1 (A2) Rikai
Page 82, 138
みんなの日本語 I
Page 116 [CH 18]
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 231
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 127
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 101
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 114