少(すこ)し前(まえ)

すこしまえ
expression
a little while ago; a bit earlier; just before
time-general
1. a little while ago; a bit earlier; just before
Refers to a short time before the present or before some specified moment. Can describe minutes, hours, days, or weeks earlier depending on context.
少(すこ)し前(まえ)に帰(かえ)ったよ。
He went home a little while ago.
少(すこ)し前(まえ)まで彼女(かのじょ)とは連絡(れんらく)を取(と)っていた。
Until a little while ago, I was in touch with her.
少(すこ)し前(まえ)にこの辺(へん)で大(おお)きな事故(じこ)があったらしい。
Apparently there was a big accident around here a little while ago.

Compound of 少(すこ)し (a little) + 前(まえ) (before, ago). The amount of time is left vague — context determines whether "a little" means minutes or months.

Common collocations

  • 少(すこ)し前(まえ)に: a little while ago (most common)
  • 少(すこ)し前(まえ)まで: until a little while ago
  • ほんの少(すこ)し前(まえ): just a moment ago (emphasized)
  • 少(すこ)し前(まえ)の話(はなし): a recent story

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: さっき (a little while ago)
Compare: 先程(さきほど) (a moment ago)
Compare: この間(あいだ) (the other day)
general
Added 2026.6.8 17:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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