前(まえ)に

まえに

expression

before, in front of

1. before (time)

Indicates that something happens prior to another event or time.

I wash my hands before eating.

Time: verb dictionary form + 前に

Please read a book before going to bed.

Please close the door before going out.

I drink coffee every day before work starts.

If you make the room dark and listen to quiet music before sleeping at night, it becomes easier to fall asleep.

2. in front of (location)

Indicates a position in front of something.

Let's meet in front of the station.

Location: noun + の前に

There's a big tree in front of the school.

Please sit in front of me and wait.

The library is in front of the park. It's about a 5-minute walk.

The big tree standing in front of the house was brought here by my grandfather when he was young, and now it has become a family memory.

前(まえ)に has two distinct uses: temporal (before) and spatial (in front of).

TIME PATTERNS:

LOCATION PATTERN:

OPPOSITES:

前(まえ)に VS 前(まえ):
前(まえ)に emphasizes the point in time/space; 前(まえ) alone can modify nouns (前(まえ)の日(ひ) = the previous day).

NOTE: Unlike 後(あと)で, 前(まえ)に always uses に, never で.

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:48 · Revised 2026.2.21 10:40

00500/00965_maeni