直前
Meanings
1
just before; immediately prior to
Temporal use. Often appears as の直前, 直前に, or in compounds such as 試験直前, meaning the moment immediately before an event or deadline.
Just before leaving, I realized I had forgotten my wallet.
I reviewed vocabulary until right before the exam.
2
right in front of; just before a place
Spatial use, especially for a point immediately before something along a route or line of movement, such as a crossing, station, or entrance.
The car stopped right in front of the pedestrian crossing.
The train suddenly slowed down just before the station.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の直前にimmediately before (an event)
It started raining right before the match.
- 〈場所〉の直前でright before reaching a place
The train stopped just before reaching the station.
- 直前になって〈動詞〉to do something at the last minute, just before it's too late
We changed the plan at the last minute.
- 〈時〉直前just before a specific time or deadline (used as a compound)
I submitted the report just before the deadline.