in front of; before (a place)
Physical location: the space or area directly in front of something. Often used with の or as a standalone noun.
There is a convenience store in front of the station.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb
before; earlier; previously; ago; to (the hour)
Temporal sense: a point in time earlier than now or a reference time. Also used in clock times for minutes before the hour.
食事の前に手を洗ってください。
Please wash your hands before meals.
３時１０分前です。
It's ten minutes to three.
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
front; frontal part; fore; head (of a line)
The front part of something, such as a building, vehicle, or line. Can be used attributively with の.
列の前のほうに並んでください。
Please line up toward the front of the line.
Directional sense: moving or facing toward the front. Often used with verbs of motion.
前へ進んでください。
Please move forward.
in the presence of; in front of (someone)
Social sense: being in the presence of someone, often with a nuance of formality or respect.
人前で話すのは緊張する。
I get nervous speaking in front of people.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
previous; prior; first; former
Attributive use with の to refer to a previous item in a sequence, such as a page, engagement, half, or example.
前のページを見てください。
Please look at the previous page.
Suffix attached to a noun or the -masu stem of a verb to indicate a portion or serving. Common in food contexts.
See also: 一人前
一人前の寿司を注文した。
I ordered one portion of sushi.
front (of body/clothing); breast (of coat, kimono)
The front part of one's body or clothing. Often used in descriptions of garments or physical appearance.
着物の前を合わせる。
I adjust the front of the kimono.
privates; private parts
Euphemistic or colloquial reference to the genital area. Often used in medical or informal contexts.
前を隠す。
Cover one's private parts.
criminal record; previous conviction; prior
Colloquial term for a criminal record or prior offense. Often used in police or legal slang.
彼には前がある。
He has a prior conviction.
Every morning I walk past the front of the school on my way to work.
It's five minutes to three right now.
Even if you fail, let's keep looking ahead and do our best.
Please go back to the previous page and read it again.
I managed to get seats in the front row at the concert.
前 marks position in a sequence (前回 last time), while 元 marks a former status or identity that has since changed (元カレ ex-boyfriend).
前 is the general word for 'front' or 'before', while 手前 specifically stresses the side or point nearer to the speaker.
後ろ means 'behind/back' in physical space, the direct opposite of 前's 'front' sense.
後 means 'after' in time, the opposite of 前's temporal sense of 'before'.
後 (ご) means 'after', while 前 (まえ) means 'before', marking the opposite time direction.
前 read ぜん is a formal prefix or suffix used in compounds like 前回, while 前 read まえ is the everyday standalone word for 'before' or 'front'.
you · before (a god, nobleman, etc.); in front of
name · given name; first name
natural; reasonable; obvious · usual; common; ordinary; the norm
in front of the station; station area
in front of oneself; the near side; nearby foreground · just before reaching; this side of a place · one's position; face; appearances; honour · skill; dexterity; artistry · tea-ceremony procedure; tea-making form · I; me · you
In time expressions 前 marks 'before' a given point (五時前), the opposite of 過ぎ's 'after' (五時過ぎ).
bangs; fringe; forelock
ability; skill; proficiency
paying one's own expenses; at one's own expense · self-employed; working independently; going into business for oneself
in advance; beforehand; ahead of time
handsome man; good-looking man · manliness; manly character
food delivery; outside catering
moving forward; acceleration; front-loading
public stance; official position; face · framework-raising ceremony
presence (of a god, emperor, etc.)
advance payment; prepayment; payment in advance
front tooth; incisor
preface; introduction; preamble
morning; forenoon · just before noon
front leg; foreleg; forefoot
advance sale; advance booking; advance purchase
advance warning; prior notice; prior announcement · harbinger; sign; omen; portent
innate; inherent; natural
pitching forward; leaning forward · proactive; forward-looking; positive · hasty; rushed; overly eager
generosity; liberality; openhandedness
rank-and-file wrestlers in the top division
chef; cook · chopping board area
advance payment; money paid in advance