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In this lesson, you will learn how to use the Japanese grammar ～まえに.
👉<Use>
"まえに" is used to describe the order of actions or events.
If the part before "まえに" is "A" and the part after "まえに" is "B", it indicates that the action or event of B occurs before the action or event of A occurs.
For example, you have dinner. Before that, you take a bath.
Then, you can say, "ごはんを食べるまえに、お風呂に入ります。" (I take a bath before having dinner.)
This grammar point is also introduced in beginner textbooks. If you want to review grammar more systematically, having one good textbook really helps:
▶︎ Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
▶︎ Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
👉<Form>
The form used to connect to “まえに” varies depending on the part of speech of the word.
Verb
To add "まえに" to the verb dictionary form.
Verb dictionary form + まえに
e.g.食べるまえに
Noun
To add "の + まえに" to the noun.
Noun + のまえに
e.g.食事のまえに
Period/Duration
To add "まえに" to the noun expressing period.
Period/Duration + まえに
e.g. Suppose it is August 5 now, and you came to Japan on July 5.
In that case, you can say, "1か月まえに日本へ来ました。"(I came to Japan one month ago.)
👉<Examples>
Verb dictionary form + まえに
1. 毎晩寝るまえに、本を読みます。
Every night before going to bed, I read a book.
2. A：映画を見ませんか。
B：いいですね。でもおなかがすきました。映画を見るまえに、食事しませんか。
A: Would you like to see a movie?
B: That sounds great. But I'm hungry. Let's have a meal before watching a movie.
3. A：このくすりはいつ飲みますか。
B：その薬はごはんを食べるまえに飲んでください。
A: When should I take this medicine?
B: You should take the medicine before you eat a meal.
4. A：きょう遅かったですね。
B：ええ、学校に来るまえに、病院へ行きました。
A: You were late today.
B: Yes, I went to the hospital before coming to school.
Noun + の + まえに
1. 授業のまえに、トイレへ行きます。
I go to the restroom before class.
2. きむらさんにメールを送りましたか。
ええ、昼ごはんのまえに、送りました。
Did you send an email to Mr. Kimura?
Yes, I did. I sent it before lunch.
3. 試験のまえに勉強します。
I study before the exam.
Period + まえに
1. 2週間まえに、富士山を見に行きました。
I went to see Mt. Fuji two weeks ago.
2. 食事の30分まえに、くすりを飲んでください。
Please take the medicine 30 minutes before meals.
3. 旅行の5日まえに、チケットを買いました。
I bought my ticket 5 days before my trip.
Suggested Study Material
Minna no Nihongo I (Main Textbook)
This grammar point appears in Minna no Nihongo(Lesson18), one of the most widely used beginner textbooks for Japanese learners.
Check textbook detailsThe main textbook is written mostly in Japanese, so many learners also use the Translation & Grammar Notes together.
Minna no Nihongo I – Translation & Grammar Notes (English)
Check translation & grammar book※Minna no Nihongo is available worldwide on Amazon. If the link does not work in your country, you can search the title on your local Amazon store.
Speaking Practice
Practice Japanese on italki
If you want to practice this grammar in real conversation, learning with a tutor can help you improve faster. Many learners find that regular speaking practice is the fastest way to become confident in Japanese.
Find a Japanese Tutor on italki →
