前に - before doing ~

〜前に

Meaning

Marks an action that happens before another one.

Explanation

Attached after a verb's dictionary form (never the past tense, even when the whole sentence is past), 前に says that action hasn't happened yet at the point being described - "before doing X." With a noun instead of a verb, の前に works the same way for time or place ("before/in front of").

Formation

Verb (dictionary form) + 前に / Noun + の前に

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 sleep.
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.

Grammar explanations and example sentences written for NihongoTech.