前まえ々まえ

ま

え

ま

え

Meanings

some time ago; for a long time now

Often used adverbially with から to mean 'since some time ago' or 'for a while now'. The exact time span is vague and context-dependent.

Usage patterns

前々まえまえからの〈事こと〉〉something that has been the case/planned for a long time
それは前まえ々まえからの計けい画かくだった。
That had been the plan for a long time already.

Expressions

前まえ々まえからfor a long time; since long ago; already; well in advance

Kanji

前in front, before

Related words

以い前ぜんN3
以前 is a more formal, neutral word for 'before' or 'previously', while 前々 is colloquial and stresses a vague stretch of time leading up to now.
かねてN1
かねて is a formal, somewhat literary way to say 'from before,' whereas 前々 is casual and more commonly paired with から in everyday speech.

Opposites

後あと々あとN1
前々 points to a vague stretch of time before now, while 後々 points to a vague stretch of time still to come.

Written forms

前まえ々まえUsage96%
Standard kanji spelling; the repetition mark 々 is used for the second 前.
まえまえUsage3%
前まえ前まえUsage1%
Alternative spelling without the repetition mark; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

Reduplication of 前 (まえ, 'before') for emphasis, creating a sense of 'some time ago' or 'for a while now'. The exact origin is straightforward and follows a common pattern in Japanese.