N5 — outside your level filter
まえに
まえにmae niN5neutral
Same meaning2
before doing; by the time
All examples9
before doing / before N — the rest of the sentence happens first, always
寝るまえに歯、磨いた?
neru mae ni ha, migaita?
Did you brush your teeth before going to bed? casual
日本に来るまえに、少しだけ日本語を勉強しました。
nihon ni kuru mae ni, sukoshi dake nihongo o benkyou shimashita.
I studied just a little Japanese before coming to Japan. neutral
ご使用のまえに、この説明書をお読みください。
go shiyou no mae ni, kono setsumeisho o oyomi kudasai.
Please read this manual before use. formal
電車の出発前に切符を買いました。
densha no shuppatsu mae ni kippu o kaimashita.
I bought a ticket before the train's departure. neutral
in front of N — the side that faces you, or its front
駅のまえに大きな時計があります。
eki no mae ni ookina tokei ga arimasu.
There is a big clock in front of the station. neutral
玄関のまえに置いたよ。
genkan no mae ni oita yo.
I left it in front of the entrance. casual
before; previously — just means "earlier," measured or not
このドラマ、前に見たことある。
kono dorama, mae ni mita koto aru.
I've seen this show before. casual
三年前に、家族で日本へ来ました。
sannen mae ni, kazoku de nihon e kimashita.
Three years ago we came to Japan as a family. neutral
前に一度お会いしたことがございます。
mae ni ichido oai shita koto ga gozaimasu.
I have met you once before. formal
How it's formed3
Notes
前に is where something is; 前で is where something happens
(前で待つ).