～前に (mae ni) - Before

This grammar connects two different events or times. It tells your listener which action happens first. Imagine two actions: Action A and Action B. If you say Action A 前に Action B, it means Action B happens first. Action A is the reference point in the future. It works with verbs, nouns, and time periods. The most important thing is the word order. In English, we often switch "before" around. In Japanese, the "before" part always comes first. It is like a countdown on a launchpad. You are looking at the goal and stating the preparation. Yes, even native speakers find timing tricky sometimes! Just keep your eyes on the sequence.

1. 1Building this grammar is like playing with blocks. There are three main ways to do it.
2. 2For Verbs: Use the Dictionary Form + 前に.
3. 3Example: 食べる + 前に (Before eating).
4. 4Never use the past tense here. Keep it simple.
5. 5For Nouns: Use Noun + の + 前に.
6. 6Example: テスト + の + 前に (Before the test).
7. 7The の acts like a bridge between nouns.
8. 8For Time Periods: Use Time + 前に.
9. 9Example: 三日 + 前に (Three days ago).
10. 10No extra particles are needed for durations.

Use this when you are ordering food at a restaurant. You might say, "Before the coffee, bring the cake." It is perfect for giving directions to a friend. "Before the bridge, please turn left at the light." Use it in job interviews to show your experience. "Before this job, I worked at a bank." It is vital for daily routines and habits. "Before I sleep, I always drink warm milk." Think of it like a grammar traffic light. It tells the listener when to go and when to wait. It makes your Japanese sound logical and professional. You can use it in formal and casual settings alike.

Do not use 前に for physical locations in most cases. If you mean "in front of the station," use 駅の前. The に particle usually implies a point in time. Also, do not use it to mean "since." That is a completely different grammar structure. Avoid using it with adjectives like "beautiful" or "red." It primarily links actions, events, or specific time durations. If you want to say "before it gets cold," use ～うちに. 前に is strictly for chronological sequences of events. Don't let the kanji trick you into using it for space.

The biggest mistake is using the past tense. Many people say 食べた前に because the event is over. This is a trap! Always use the dictionary form: 食べる前に. Think of the verb as a time-traveler that never ages. Another mistake is forgetting the の particle with nouns. 食事前に is okay for signs, but sounds robotic. In conversation, always say 食事の前に. It sounds much more natural and polite. Finally, don't confuse 前に (before) with 後で (after). It sounds obvious, but in a fast conversation, it happens! Take a breath and visualize the timeline.

You might know ～てから, which means "after doing." These two are like two sides of a coin. 前に focuses on the deadline or the goal. ～てから focuses on the starting point of the sequence. If you say 食べる前に手を洗う, you emphasize the washing. If you say 手を洗ってから食べる, you emphasize the eating. There is also さっき, which means "a little while ago." Use さっき for vague moments in the recent past. Use 前に for specific durations like "ten minutes ago." Understanding these small gaps will make you a pro.