before ~; in front of ~ (前に) – Japanese Grammar 前に (mae ni)

Q: What JLPT level is 前に?

JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Q: How do you use 前に in a sentence?

Attach 前に to the appropriate verb or noun form. Before ~; in front of ~

Q: Is 前に formal or casual Japanese?

前に can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

前に

N5 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

mae ni

before ~; in front of ~

がほしい ga hoshii どうして doushite ので node 一番 ichiban つもり tsumori や ya けれども keredo mo で de とき toki どうやって douyatte てはいけない te wa ikenai だけ dake 一緒に issho ni まだ〜ていません mada ~te imasen てもいいです temo ii desu から kara がいます ga imasu ませんか masen ka ましょう mashou ないでください naide kudasai がほしい ga hoshii どうして doushite ので node 一番 ichiban つもり tsumori や ya けれども keredo mo で de とき toki どうやって douyatte てはいけない te wa ikenai だけ dake 一緒に issho ni まだ〜ていません mada ~te imasen てもいいです temo ii desu から kara がいます ga imasu ませんか masen ka ましょう mashou ないでください naide kudasai

🃏 Flashcard

前に

mae ni

Tap to reveal usage

before ~; in front of ~

Tap to test your recall · +10 XP

📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N5

Beginner · Basic sentence structures

Reading mae ni

Post ID 50631

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

before ~; in front of ~

📖 How to use it

Expresses that something happens before a time or event, or that something is located in front of a place.

Attaches to Attach to the plain present (dictionary form) of a verb for time order, or to a noun with the possessive particle の for physical location. Also attaches to time expressions like 'gozen' (morning) or days with の.

When used for time, 前に follows the dictionary form of a verb to mean 'before doing [that action]'. The main clause describes what happens before that action. It is common in everyday speech and writing. For example, 'taberu mae ni' means 'before eating'. Note that the verb before 前に is always in the present (dictionary) form, even if the main action is in the past, because the time relationship is relative to the main clause.

When used for location, 前に follows a noun with the particle の and means 'in front of [the noun]'. For example, 'eki no mae ni' means 'in front of the station'. It can also be used with time nouns like 'kaigi no mae ni' meaning 'before the meeting'.

毎朝、学校へ行く前に、朝ごはんを食べます。

Maiasa, gakkou e iku mae ni, asagohan o tabemasu.

Every morning, I eat breakfast before going to school.

駅の前に、大きいスーパーがあります。

Eki no mae ni, ookii suupaa ga arimasu.

There is a big supermarket in front of the station.

寝る前に、お風呂に入ります。

Neru mae ni, ofuro ni hairimasu.

I take a bath before going to bed.

Not 後で (ato de) 前に means 'before', while 後で means 'after'. Attach 後で to the past tense of a verb: 'tabeta ato de' = 'after eating'.

Register Neutral; used in both casual conversation and formal writing, though in very polite speech you may hear 前に as well.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

前に

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat 前に three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

🃏

Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using 前に. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N5 Patterns

← Previous

まで

until ~; as far as ~; to (an extent); even ~

ませんか

would you; do you want to; shall we~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern 前に mean? ▼

Before ~; in front of ~

What JLPT level is 前に? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N5 — Beginner · Basic sentence structures. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use 前に in a sentence? ▼

Attach 前に (mae ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is 前に formal or casual Japanese? ▼

前に is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember 前に long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.