～前に・まえに (before)

• Reading: まえに
• Romaji: mae ni
• Formation: Verb (dictionary form) + 前に / Noun + の + 前に
• Kanji breakdown: 前 — front, before, earlier

Meaning

Indicates that something happens before another event or situation comes about. Can also express spatial position meaning 'in front of.'

まえに is used to express that one action or event precedes another. Unlike あとで, the verb before まえに is always in the dictionary (non-past) form, regardless of the overall sentence tense, because the action has not yet occurred at the reference point. With nouns, の connects: 試験の前に (before the exam). It contrasts with までに which sets a deadline, whereas 前に simply states temporal ordering. まえに also has a spatial meaning of 'in front of' — 駅の前に (in front of the station).

Examples

1. 寝る前に、歯を磨きます。 Before going to bed, I brush my teeth.
2. 試験の前に、しっかり復習した。 Before the exam, I reviewed thoroughly.
3. 出かける前に、窓を閉めてください。 Before going out, please close the windows.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 食べる前に、手を洗いましょう。
• 会議の前に資料を準備しておきます。
• 帰る前に、もう一度確認してください。

Don't Say

• 寝た前に歯を磨きます。(Verb before 前に must be in dictionary form, not past tense) → 寝る前に歯を磨きます。
• 試験前に復習した。(Noun before 前に requires の) → 試験の前に復習した。

Origin & History

The noun 前 (mae) originally referred to spatial 'front' and has been used for temporal 'before' since the Heian period, paired with に to mark the time point.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal