前もって

• Reading: まえもって
• Romaji: maemotte
• Kanji breakdown: 前 (mae/zen) — before, front, previous
• Pronunciation: /ma.e.mo.tːe/

Meaning

In advance; beforehand; previously. Describes doing something ahead of time as preparation.

An adverb combining 前 (mae, before) with もって (motte, by means of), meaning 'by way of beforehand.' Common patterns: 前もって連絡する (contact in advance), 前もって準備する (prepare beforehand). More formal than 先に (saki ni, first/ahead) and similar in meaning to あらかじめ (arakajime, in advance). Often used when emphasising the importance of prior preparation.

Examples

1. 前もって予約しておけばよかった。 I should have made a reservation in advance.
2. 大事な会議なので前もって資料を用意した。 It's an important meeting, so I prepared the materials beforehand.
3. 前もって連絡してくれたら迎えに行けたのに。 If you had let me know ahead of time, I could have picked you up.

Usage Guide

Context: planning, work, travel

Tone: practical

Origin & History

Compound of 前 (mae, before/in front) and もって (motte, the te-form of 持つ meaning 'to hold/carry,' used as a conjunctive particle meaning 'by means of'). Together, 'by means of being before' — doing something with the time ahead of an event.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal