Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 8: 3/13

前(まえ)にBefore, In front of

Structure

Verb + 前(まえ)に
Noun + の + 前(まえ)に

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Expression

  • Word Type

    Case Marking Particle

  • Register

    Standard

About まえに

前(まえ)に is used when describing something that is either 'before something' (in time), or 'in front of something' (a location). It is used with verbs (in their non-past form), or nouns. When used with nouns, の is required before 前(まえ)に.

Caution

Another similar construction to 前(まえ)に is 手前(てまえ)に. 前(まえ)に can be used for something that is in front of any location. However, 手前(てまえ)に may only be used when things in front of you (or someone/something else) are being described physically.

  • 銀行(ぎんこう)の前(まえ)にあるラーメン屋(や)。
    The ramen shop in front of the bank.
  • 私(わたし)の手前(てまえ)にある着物(きもの)は高(たか)いです。
    The kimono right in front of me is expensive.

Examples

--:--

    食(た)べるまえに「いただきます」と言(い)う。

    Before eating we say 'いただきます'.

    帰(かえ)るまえに勉強(べんきょう)をする。

    Before going home I will study.

    まえにここに来(き)ました。

    I've been here before.

    食(た)べるまえに手(て)を洗(あら)います。

    I will wash my hands before I eat.

    テレビのまえに、机(つくえ)があります。

    There is a desk in front of the TV.

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      まえに – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (11 in total)

      • additionalramen

        additionalramen

        With the example 病院の前にあるコンビニ -

        How can you tell what’s in front of what? Like how do you know the convenience store is in front of the hospital and not the other way around?

      • casual

        casual

        (A)の前に just means in front of (A). So 病院の前に would be “in front of hospital”, and コンビニの前に would be “in front of convenience store”.

        And then the noun that A is in front of comes in through direct noun modification… mm not sure if there is a more specific point on bunpro, but let’s link this one: がある + Noun (JLPT N5) | Bunpro

        So, together (A)の前にある(B) means “(B), that exists in front of (A)”. You can’t mix them up.

        Hope this helps?

      • homa

        homa

        Ok folks, hear me out: お前の前にいるのは、千年以上生きた魔法使いだ

        If I want to add something one to the Bunpro, it is this sentence, so maybe something could be replaced)

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