以い前ぜん

noun, used as a suffix

before; prior to; ago

Used after a time, date, period, or event to mean before or not later than that reference point, as in 2010年以前 or 入学以前. With durations it may be translated with 'ago,' though ～前 is often the simpler everyday wording.

• この建たて物ものは2010年ねん以い前ぜんに建たてられた。

  This building was built before 2010.

• 入にゅう学がく以い前ぜんのことはあまり覚おぼえていない。

  I do not remember much from before I entered school.

noun, adverb

previously; before; the past; former times

Used as a noun or adverb for an earlier time or the past in general. Common in expressions such as 以前は, 以前の, 以前から, and 以前より.

• 以い前ぜん、京きょう都とに住すんでいました。

  I used to live in Kyoto before.

• 以い前ぜんの住じゅう所しょを教おしえてください。

  Please tell me your previous address.

• 彼かれは以い前ぜんより元げん気きになった。

  He has become healthier than before.