Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 10: 17/22

以前 いぜん Before, Not even, Before even, Precede, Far from

Structure
Noun(1) + 以前（に）
Noun(1) (A) + 以前 + の + Noun (B)

(1) A(2) + (Antonym) A(2)
Verb (A) + Verb (A)［ない］(2)
(2) ［な］Adjective、［い］Adjective
Structure Legend  
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
  • (A) 以前 is used when a certain level/stage has not been reached yet, and the more fundamental issues of (B) remain. Often used to criticize thoughtless remarks, irresponsible attitudes, and the like. The noun 問題 is commonly modified by 以前.
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ポイ捨（す）ては法律（ほうりつ）以前（いぜん）の道義（どうぎ）的（てき）な問題（もんだい）だ。
When it comes to littering, before even the law, it is a moral issue.
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    • 彼（かれ）は、自分（じぶん）が女（おんな）の子（こ）にモテないのはファッションがださいからだと思（おも）ってる。それは事実（じじつ）だけど、それ以前（いぜん）の問題（もんだい）として、彼（かれ）は性格（せいかく）に問題（もんだい）がある。
    He believes that he is not popular with girls due to his bad fashion sense. While that is true, preceding even that, he has issues with his personality.
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    • 信（しん）じる信（しん）じない以前（いぜん）にもっと根本（こんぽん）的（てき）な問題（もんだい）なんだよ。先（ま）ずどうにか彼女（かのじょ）にこの事（こと）を伝（つた）えなきゃ。
    Before whether she believes it or not, there is a more fundamental issue. To start, I must somehow convey this to her.
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    This use of 以前に
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    Books
    Try N1
    Page 78
    A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns for Teachers and Learners
    Page 37
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