Translation guide
The English word "before" is used to express time sequence, spatial position, and priority. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on whether you mean 'earlier than a point in time', 'in front of a location', or 'rather than / in preference to'. Direct translation is often unnatural; learners should pay attention to verb tense and sentence structure.
Expressing that an action or event occurs earlier than another point in time.
The most common way to say 'before doing something'. The verb before 前に is always in the dictionary (non-past) form, regardless of the tense of the main clause.
Do not use the past tense before 前に. The verb is always in the dictionary form.
I brush my teeth before going to bed.
I studied Japanese before coming to Japan.
Used with nouns to mean 'before (a certain event or time)'.
Please check the materials before the meeting.
Means 'after doing X, then Y', but can be used to express a sequence where one action must be completed before another. It emphasizes the order of actions.
This is not a direct translation of 'before' but is often used in similar contexts to express prerequisite actions.
Please eat after washing your hands. (lit. Wash hands and then eat.)
A more formal word meaning 'before' or 'previously'. Often used in written language or formal speech. Can be used with a time expression or alone.
Means 'in advance' or 'beforehand'. Used when doing something in preparation for a future event.
Indicating physical location in front of something.
The standard way to say 'in front of' a place or object.
There is a convenience store in front of the station.
Expressing that one thing is chosen or preferred over another.
Used to compare two things, meaning 'B rather than A' or 'B more than A'. The order is opposite to English: the less preferred item comes first.
The structure is 'A より B', meaning 'B rather than A'. Do not reverse the order.
Using 'before' as a conjunction to link two clauses.
As above, this is the primary way to connect clauses with 'before'. The verb before 前に is always dictionary form.
I locked the door before going out.
In Japanese, the verb before 前に is always in the non-past (dictionary) form, even if the main clause is past tense. This is a common mistake for English speakers who want to use the past tense.
I studied Japanese before I came to Japan.
Please arrive before 8 o'clock.
食事の前に手を洗いましょう。
Let's wash our hands before meals.
I lived in Tokyo before.
I moved to this town before three years ago.
Please contact me in advance.
Please don't stand in front of me.
The noun 'front'. Can be used in various constructions.
Please walk looking ahead.
I like tea more than coffee. (lit. Rather than coffee, I like tea.)
The car is faster than the train.
Expresses a strong preference: 'I would rather do B than do A'. Often used with negative or extreme alternatives.
I'd rather die than marry that person.
An adverb meaning 'rather' or 'instead'. Used to correct or emphasize a preference.
He is not so much angry as sad. (lit. Rather than angry, he is sad.)
Means 'before something happens' or 'while it is still not the case'. Often used to suggest doing something before a negative situation occurs.
Let's go home before it gets dark.
A slightly more emphatic or formal version of 前に, meaning 'before' or 'prior to'.
I finished the preparations before he came.
前に means 'before', while 後で (あとで) means 'after'. Note that 前に uses the dictionary form of the verb, but 後で uses the past tense (ta-form).
Wash hands before eating.
Brush teeth after eating.
I had never seen a panda before.
Uses 今まで (until now) to express 'before now'.
Think before you speak.