1.
the night before, eve
The evening or night immediately preceding a particular event or day. Often used for the eve of holidays, ceremonies, or significant occasions.
クリスマス前夜にケーキを食べた。
We ate cake on Christmas Eve.
試験の前夜は緊張して眠れなかった。
I was so nervous the night before the exam that I couldn't sleep.
結婚式の前夜、家族みんなで食事をした。
The night before the wedding, the whole family had dinner together.
前夜 refers to the night immediately before an event. Also used figuratively for the period just before a major change.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 前夜祭: eve festival, preliminary celebration
- クリスマス前夜: Christmas Eve
- 大会の前夜: the night before a tournament
- 試験の前夜: the night before an exam
FIGURATIVE USE:
前夜 can describe the period just before a historical turning point:
- 革命の前夜: the eve of revolution
- 開戦の前夜: the eve of war
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 前日: the day before (daytime, more neutral)
- 前の晩: the night before (casual)
- イブ: eve (loanword, mainly for Christmas)