Translation guide
The English word "before" is used to express time sequence, spatial position, and priority. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you mean 'earlier than a point in time', 'in front of a location', or 'rather than / in preference to'. Direct translation is often unnatural; learners should pay attention to verb tense and sentence structure.
Expressing that an action or event occurs earlier than another point in time.
The most common way to say 'before doing something'. The verb before 前に is always in the dictionary (non-past) form, regardless of the tense of the main clause.
Do not use the past tense before 前に. The verb is always in the dictionary form.
寝る前に歯を磨きます。
I brush my teeth before going to bed.
日本に来る前に、日本語を勉強しました。
I studied Japanese before coming to Japan.
Used with nouns to mean 'before (a certain event or time)'.
会議の前に資料を確認してください。
Please check the materials before the meeting.
食事の前に手を洗いましょう。
Let's wash our hands before meals.
Means 'after doing X, then Y', but can be used to express a sequence where one action must be completed before another. It emphasizes the order of actions.
This is not a direct translation of 'before' but is often used in similar contexts to express prerequisite actions.
手を洗ってから食べてください。
Please eat after washing your hands. (lit. Wash hands and then eat.)
A more formal word meaning 'before' or 'previously'. Often used in written language or formal speech. Can be used with a time expression or alone.
Means 'in advance' or 'beforehand'. Used when doing something in preparation for a future event.
Indicating physical location in front of something.
The standard way to say 'in front of' a place or object.
駅の前にコンビニがあります。
There is a convenience store in front of the station.
私の前に立たないでください。
Please don't stand in front of me.
The noun 'front'. Can be used in various constructions.
前を見て歩いてください。
Please walk looking ahead.
Expressing that one thing is chosen or preferred over another.
Used to compare two things, meaning 'B rather than A' or 'B more than A'. The order is opposite to English: the less preferred item comes first.
The structure is 'A より B', meaning 'B rather than A'. Do not reverse the order.
コーヒーより紅茶が好きです。
I like tea more than coffee. (lit. Rather than coffee, I like tea.)
電車より車の方が早いです。
The car is faster than the train.
Expresses a strong preference: 'I would rather do B than do A'. Often used with negative or extreme alternatives.
あの人と結婚するくらいなら、死んだ方がましだ。
I'd rather die than marry that person.
An adverb meaning 'rather' or 'instead'. Used to correct or emphasize a preference.
Using 'before' as a conjunction to link two clauses.
As above, this is the primary way to connect clauses with 'before'. The verb before 前に is always dictionary form.
出かける前に、鍵をかけた。
I locked the door before going out.
Means 'before something happens' or 'while it is still not the case'. Often used to suggest doing something before a negative situation occurs.
暗くならないうちに帰りましょう。
Let's go home before it gets dark.
A slightly more emphatic or formal version of 前に, meaning 'before' or 'prior to'.
彼が来るより前に準備を終えた。
I finished the preparations before he came.
In Japanese, the verb before 前に is always in the non-past (dictionary) form, even if the main clause is past tense. This is a common mistake for English speakers who want to use the past tense.
日本に来る前に、日本語を勉強しました。
I studied Japanese before I came to Japan.
前に means 'before', while 後で (あとで) means 'after'. Note that 前に uses the dictionary form of the verb, but 後で uses the past tense (ta-form).
食べる前に手を洗う。
Wash hands before eating.
食べた後で歯を磨く。
Brush teeth after eating.
8時前に来てください。
Please arrive before 8 o'clock.
話す前に考えなさい。
Think before you speak.
I lived in Tokyo before.
三年前以前にこの町に引っ越しました。
I moved to this town before three years ago.
前もって連絡してください。
Please contact me in advance.
彼は怒っているというより、むしろ悲しんでいる。
He is not so much angry as sad. (lit. Rather than angry, he is sad.)