1.
in advance; beforehand; ahead of time
Before something happens or is done. Used to indicate that preparation or action takes place prior to a certain event.
事前に連絡してください。
Please contact us in advance.
事前に予約が必要です。
A reservation is required in advance.
事前に資料を読んでおけば、会議がスムーズに進む。
If you read the materials beforehand, the meeting will go smoothly.
USAGE:
事前に is widely used in both formal and everyday contexts to indicate doing something before a scheduled event. The base noun 事前 means "prior" or "advance" and is often combined with other nouns: 事前準備 (advance preparation), 事前申請 (prior application).
CONTRAST:
- 事後に (after the fact) is the opposite
- 前もって is a more colloquial synonym meaning "ahead of time"
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 事前に確認する (to confirm in advance)
- 事前に申し込む (to apply in advance)
- 事前通知 (advance notice)