前(まえ)にBefore, In front of

Structure

Verb + 前(まえ)に
Noun + の + 前(まえ)に

Details

Part of Speech
Expression
Word Type
Case Marking Particle
Register
Standard

About まえに

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, の is required before 前(まえ)に.

Caution

Another similar construction to 前(まえ)に is 手前(てまえ)に. 前(まえ)に can be used for something that is in front of any location. However, 手前(てまえ)に may only be used when things in front of you (or someone/something else) are being described physically.

銀行(ぎんこう)の前(まえ)にあるラーメン屋(や)。

The ramen shop in front of the bank.
私(わたし)の手前(てまえ)にある着物(きもの)は高(たか)いです。

The kimono right in front of me is expensive.

Synonyms

Antonyms

あとで
After, Later
Not studied yet

Examples

--:--

食(た)べるまえに「いただきます」と言(い)う。

Before eating we say 'いただきます'.

帰(かえ)るまえに勉強(べんきょう)をする。

Before going home I will study.

まえにここに来(き)ました。

I've been here before.

食(た)べるまえに手(て)を洗(あら)います。

I will wash my hands before I eat.

テレビのまえに、机(つくえ)があります。

There is a desk in front of the TV.

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Online
- See Notes
  JGram
- Before and after
  Tae Kim

Offline
- 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
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まえに – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (11 in total)

additionalramen
With the example 病院の前にあるコンビニ -

How can you tell what’s in front of what? Like how do you know the convenience store is in front of the hospital and not the other way around?
casual
(A)の前に just means in front of (A). So 病院の前に would be “in front of hospital”, and コンビニの前に would be “in front of convenience store”.

And then the noun that A is in front of comes in through direct noun modification… mm not sure if there is a more specific point on bunpro, but let’s link this one: がある + Noun (JLPT N5) | Bunpro

So, together (A)の前にある(B) means “(B), that exists in front of (A)”. You can’t mix them up.

Hope this helps?
homa
Ok folks, hear me out: お前の前にいるのは、千年以上生きた魔法使いだ

If I want to add something one to the Bunpro, it is this sentence, so maybe something could be replaced)