Attaches to nouns to mean the immediately preceding instance, person, or thing. Common with time words, titles, and roles.
前回の会議で決まったことです。
It was decided at the last meeting.
彼は前社長です。
He is the former president.
Used before era names or historical periods to mean 'pre-', e.g. 前近代 (premodern).
前近代の社会構造を研究している。
I am researching the social structure of premodern times.
Attaches after a noun to mean 'before' that event or point in time. Often used in formal or written contexts.
出発前にもう一度確認してください。
Please check once more before departure.
The former president established a new company.
There are still regions where premodern systems remain.
We warmed up thoroughly before the match.
front and back; before and behind; back and forth · before and after; around the time of · around; about; approximately · order; context · consequences · inversion; reversion; getting out of order · co-occurring; happening at the same time
morning; a.m.
first half
precondition; prerequisite; assumption · intention; aim; goal · premise
just before; immediately prior to · right in front of; just before a place
previous day; day before; eve
pre-war; before the war
the previous year; last year
just before; on the verge of; on the brink of · just in front of; just ahead of
previous work; preceding work; previous title; previous release · first crop; preceding crop
the former; the first (of two)
advance; progress; moving forward
ahead; in front; forward direction · square-fronted; having a square front
first term; first half; preceding period; early period
front; front part; facade · initial pledge; opening slogan
weather front; front · front line; battlefront; forward area
first part; first volume · prequel
aforementioned; above-mentioned; previously stated
while alive; during one's lifetime
previous conviction; criminal record
antiquity; previous era
right before one's eyes; imminent; close at hand
precedent; previous example
last night; the previous night · eve; night before (an event)
prostate gland; prostate
presence of a noble; presence of the emperor · outrider; lead horseman · My Lord; My Lady
advance guard; vanguard · avant-garde · forward (player)