When you are talking about something you did before, you can use the word まえに (mae ni).
It's an adverb that tells you when something happened.
Think of it as saying "previously" or "in advance" in English.
You often put it at the beginning of a sentence or after the subject to indicate that an action took place at an earlier time.
When discussing actions or events that happen sequentially, we use まえに (mae ni) to indicate something occurs before something else.
You'll often see it paired with a verb in its dictionary form or a noun followed by の (no). For instance, 「食事のまえに手を洗います」 (Shokuji no mae ni te o araimasu) means, "I wash my hands before eating." Here, 「食事」 (shokuji) is a noun.
If you're using a verb, like 「寝る」 (neru - to sleep), you would say 「寝るまえに本を読みます」 (Neru mae ni hon o yomimasu), which translates to, "I read a book before sleeping."
Remember, the action described after まえに is the one that happens first.
When discussing ordering something, whether it be time, position, or sequence, 「まえに」 (mae ni) is the adverb you'll typically use. It directly translates to "before" in English, and it's quite versatile. You can use it to talk about a point in time before another event, or a physical location that is in front of something else.
For example, if you want to say "before eating," you would say 「食べるまえに」 (taberu mae ni). Or, if you're talking about something being in front of the station, you could say 「駅のまえに」 (eki no mae ni). It's a fundamental word for establishing order and position in Japanese.
When discussing actions or events that happen sequentially, まえに (mae ni) is a really useful word. It directly translates to "before" and helps us establish the order of things.
You can use まえに with verbs in their dictionary form to say "before doing X." For example, 食べるまえに means "before eating."
It can also be used with nouns by adding の (no) after the noun. So, 仕事のまえに means "before work."
It's a versatile adverb that helps you clearly communicate the timing of different activities.
§ What まえに Means
- Japanese Word
- まえに (mae ni)
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- Before.
You'll hear まえに used all the time in daily conversation. It means 'before,' and it's a super useful word for talking about timing. Let's look at how it works in different situations.
§ How to Use まえに
まえに is flexible. It can refer to a time in the past or before another action. Think of it as a way to sequence events. The key is what comes before まえに.
- Before a noun: Just attach まえに directly. For example, 昼食の前に (chūshoku no mae ni) means 'before lunch.'
- Before a verb: Use the dictionary form of the verb (the plain form) followed by まえに. For example, 食べる前に (taberu mae ni) means 'before eating.'
§ まえに at Work and School
In a professional or academic setting, you'll constantly hear and use まえに to describe deadlines, meeting preparations, or study routines. It helps clarify the order of tasks.
会議のまえに資料を準備してください。
Kaigi no mae ni shiryō o junbi shite kudasai.
Please prepare the materials before the meeting.
テストのまえに復習しましょう。
Tesuto no mae ni fukushū shimashō.
Let's review before the test.
会社に行くまえに朝ごはんを食べます。
Kaisha ni iku mae ni asagohan o tabemasu.
I eat breakfast before going to work.
Notice how in the last example, 'iku' (to go) is in its plain form before まえに. This is very common.
§ まえに in News and Public Announcements
News reports and public announcements often use まえに to set context or provide instructions, especially when talking about previous events or actions to be taken before something else.
首相が声明を発表するまえに、政府は会議を開いた。
Shushō ga seimei o happyō suru mae ni, seifu wa kaigi o hiraíta.
Before the Prime Minister announced the statement, the government held a meeting.
この災害のまえにも、同様の被害がありました。
Kono saigai no mae ni mo, dōyō no higai ga arimashita.
Before this disaster, there was similar damage as well.
Here, まえに helps establish a timeline of events, which is critical for understanding news stories.
§ Practical Usage Tips
When you're trying to integrate まえに into your Japanese, remember these points:
- Verbs come in dictionary form: Don't use -masu form. It's always verb (dictionary form) + まえに.
- Nouns use の: It's noun + の + まえに.
- Time expressions: When referring to a specific time, like 'three years ago,' you'd use 3年まえに (san-nen mae ni).
Keep practicing with these structures, and you'll soon be using まえに naturally to talk about when things happen!
Let's talk about the Japanese word まえに (mae ni). This is a really common and useful adverb that means 'before'. You'll hear and see it all the time. Getting comfortable with まえに will help you talk about sequences of events clearly.
§ Basic Meaning of まえに
At its core, まえに tells you that something happened or will happen at an earlier point in time compared to something else. Think of it as 'before [something]'.
§ How to Use まえに
You can use まえに in a few main ways:
- To say 'before a noun'.
- To say 'before doing an action'.
- To say 'some time ago' or 'in the past'.
§ Examples with Nouns
When you want to say 'before [noun]', you'll typically use the structure: Noun の まえに.
食事のまえに手を洗います。(Shokuji no mae ni te o araimasu.)
試験のまえによく勉強しました。(Shiken no mae ni yoku benkyō shimashita.)
§ Examples with Verbs (Before an Action)
When you want to say 'before doing [verb]', you need to use the plain form of the verb before まえに. Specifically, the dictionary form (辞書形 - jisho kei) or the plain negative form (ない形 - nai kei).
寝るまえに本を読みます。(Neru mae ni hon o yomimasu.)
日本へ行くまえに日本語を勉強しました。(Nihon e iku mae ni Nihongo o benkyō shimashita.)
§ Similar Words and When to Use まえに vs Alternatives
While まえに is your go-to for 'before', there are other words and phrases that can express similar ideas, but they have subtle differences.
- 〜よりまえに (~yori mae ni): This means 'before [something]'. It's very similar to just using の まえに, but より (yori) adds a stronger sense of comparison, emphasizing 'earlier than X'. You can use it with times, events, or even people.
彼よりまえに着きました。(Kare yori mae ni tsukimashita.)
- 以前 (izen): This also means 'before' or 'formerly', 'previous'. It often implies a longer period in the past or a more general 'in the past' sense, rather than directly preceding an event. It can also be used as a noun meaning 'the past'.
以前、ここに住んでいました。(Izen, koko ni sunde imashita.)
- 〜までに (~made ni): This means 'by' or 'by the time of'. It sets a deadline or a completion point, not necessarily that the action happened *before* but that it should be completed *by* that time.
明日までにレポートを提出してください。(Ashita made ni repōto o teishutsu shite kudasai.)
Understanding these distinctions will help you use まえに and its alternatives more accurately. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!
难度评级
short and common hiragana
short and common hiragana
common and easy to pronounce
clear pronunciation
接下来学什么
接下来学习
高级
按水平分级的例句
しごとの まえに コーヒーを のみます。
I drink coffee before work.
ねる まえに ほんを よみます。
I read a book before sleeping.
ごはんの まえに てを あらいます。
I wash my hands before eating.
かいぎの まえに しりょうを よみます。
I read the documents before the meeting.
でかける まえに かぎを しめます。
I lock the door before going out.
えいがの まえに ばんごはんを たべました。
I ate dinner before the movie.
しけんばんごうの まえに なまえを かきます。
Write your name before the exam number.
スーパーの まえで ともだちを まちます。
I'll wait for my friend in front of the supermarket.
しゅっぱつのまえに、にもつをかくにんしてください。
Before departure, please confirm your luggage.
ごはんのまえに、てをあらいましょう。
Let's wash our hands before eating.
かいぎのまえに、しりょうをよんでおいてください。
Please read the materials before the meeting.
テストのまえは、いつもきんちょうします。
I'm always nervous before a test.
ねるまえに、ほんをよむのがすきです。
I like to read a book before going to bed.
りょこうのまえに、ホテルのよやくをしました。
I made a hotel reservation before the trip.
コンサートのまえに、しょくじをしましょう。
Let's have a meal before the concert.
しごとのまえに、コーヒーをいっぱいのみます。
I drink a cup of coffee before work.
容易混淆的词
Opposite of まえに; refers to 'after' or 'later'.
Indicates a deadline or 'by a certain time'.
Refers to 'previously' or 'in the past', less about sequential order.
容易混淆
Many English speakers confuse 'まえに' with similar-sounding or related Japanese words like 'あとで' (atode) or 'までに' (made ni), which have different temporal meanings.
まえに means 'before' in a general sense, referring to a time prior to another event or a physical location in front of something. It often implies sequence.
ごはんを食べるまえに、手を洗ってください。(Gohan o taberu mae ni, te o aratte kudasai.) - Please wash your hands before eating.
This is often confused with まえに because they are temporal opposites.
あとで means 'after' or 'later'. It indicates an event happening subsequent to another.
しゅくだいを終わらせたあとで、ゲームをしてもいいですよ。(Shukudai o owaraseta atode, geemu o shitemo ii desu yo.) - You can play games after finishing your homework.
The 'ni' particle can make it seem similar to まえに, but their meanings are distinct.
までに means 'by (a certain time)' or 'until (a certain time)', indicating a deadline or a point in time by which something must be completed.
きんようびまでに、レポートを出してください。(Kinyoubi made ni, repooto o dashite kudasai.) - Please submit the report by Friday.
Both translate to 'before' in English, but they have different nuances.
いぜんに also means 'before', but it often refers to 'previously' or 'in the past', focusing on an unspecified past time rather than a specific sequence of events.
いぜんに、この本を読んだことがあります。(Izen ni, kono hon o yonda koto ga arimasu.) - I have read this book before (previously).
Similar to まえに in meaning 'before', but with a slightly different emphasis.
さきに means 'ahead' or 'first', often implying precedence or doing something before others or as the first step.
わたしがさきに、かいしゃに行きます。(Watashi ga saki ni, kaisha ni ikimasu.) - I will go to the company first/ahead of you.
自我测试 54 个问题
This sentence means 'Wash your hands before eating.' 'まえに' (before) comes after the action it precedes.
This sentence means 'I read a book before sleeping.' 'まえに' connects the action of sleeping with reading.
This sentence means 'Buy a ticket before watching the movie.' 'まえに' specifies the timing of buying the ticket.
会議の___、資料を準備してください。(Kaigi no ___, shiryō o junbi shite kudasai.)
The sentence means 'Please prepare the documents before the meeting.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
寝る___、歯を磨きます。(Neru ___, ha o migakimasu.)
The sentence means 'I brush my teeth before going to bed.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
日本へ行く___、日本語を勉強しました。(Nihon e iku ___, Nihongo o benkyō shimashita.)
The sentence means 'I studied Japanese before going to Japan.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
食事の___、手を洗ってください。(Shokuji no ___, te o aratte kudasai.)
The sentence means 'Please wash your hands before eating.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
テストの___、よく復習しました。(Tesuto no ___, yoku fukushū shimashita.)
The sentence means 'I reviewed well before the test.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
出発する___、荷物の確認をしました。(Shuppatsu suru ___, nimotsu no kakunin o shimashita.)
The sentence means 'I checked my luggage before departing.' 'まえに' (mae ni) means 'before'.
Choose the correct sentence: I ate breakfast before going to work.
まえに connects to the plain form of the verb (行く).
Which sentence means: Please call me before you leave.
まえに is used with the plain form of the verb to indicate 'before doing something'.
Fill in the blank: 彼は会社を辞める＿＿＿、旅行に行った。
The sentence means 'He went on a trip before quitting the company.'
The sentence 「寝るまえに、歯を磨きます。」 means 'I brush my teeth after sleeping.'
「寝るまえに」 means 'before sleeping', so the sentence means 'I brush my teeth before sleeping.'
「この本を読むまえに、映画を見ました。」 means 'I watched the movie before reading this book.'
「読むまえに」 means 'before reading', which correctly translates to 'before reading this book'.
When using 「まえに」 with a noun, you should use the particle 「の」, like in 「試験のまえに、勉強しました。」
When 「まえに」 is used with a noun, the particle 「の」 is required.
What do you eat before homework?
Where does the bus stop?
What should you do before the meeting?
Read this aloud:
ごはんのまえにてをあらいます。
Focus: まえに
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
ねるまえにほんをよみます。
Focus: ねるまえに
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
でかけるまえにかぎをチェックします。
Focus: まえに
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Before eating, I wash my hands.' 'まえに' (mae ni) connects the action that happens first (eating) with the main action (washing hands).
This sentence means 'Before coming to Japan, I studied Japanese.' The action '来る' (kuru, to come) is in its plain form before 'まえに' (mae ni).
This sentence means 'Before watching the movie, I bought tickets.' '見る' (miru, to see/watch) is in its plain form when used with 'まえに' (mae ni).
会議の___、資料をすべて確認してください。(Before the meeting, please confirm all the materials.)
「まえに」は時間的な順序を示し、「〜するまえに」で「〜する前に」という意味になります。ここでは会議の前に資料を確認するという文脈に合致します。
試験の___、十分な睡眠をとることが重要です。(It is important to get enough sleep before an exam.)
「試験のまえに」は「試験の前に」という意味で、試験というイベントの前に睡眠をとることの重要性を述べています。文脈上適切です。
彼は家を出る___、鍵をかけたかどうか確認した。(He checked if he locked the door before leaving the house.)
「家を出るまえに」で「家を出る前に」となり、家を出るという行動の前に鍵の確認をしたという順序を表します。
料理を始める___、手をきれいに洗いましょう。(Let's wash our hands thoroughly before starting to cook.)
「料理を始めるまえに」で「料理を始める前に」となり、料理開始前の行動として手を洗うことを促しています。
プレゼンテーションの___、内容を何度も復習した。(I reviewed the content many times before the presentation.)
「プレゼンテーションのまえに」は「プレゼンテーションの前に」という意味で、プレゼンテーションというイベントの前に復習したという行為を示します。
決断する___、すべての情報を集めるべきだ。(You should gather all information before making a decision.)
「決断するまえに」は「決断する前に」という意味で、決断という行動の前に情報を集めるべきだという助言です。
This sentence means 'Let's buy a present before the party.' 'まえに' (mae ni) indicates 'before' an event.
This means 'Please check the materials before the meeting.' 'まえに' (mae ni) specifies the timing of an action.
This translates to 'Before departing, let's check if we've forgotten anything.' The verb in dictionary form (出発する) comes directly before 'まえに'.
The decision was made after much deliberation by him.
She prepared thoroughly before facing the difficult situation.
We should consider all possibilities before executing this plan.
Read this aloud:
この複雑な問題を解決するまえに、詳細な分析が必要です。
Focus: まえに
你说的：
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Read this aloud:
彼は、大衆のまえに立つまえに、いつも緊張します。
Focus: まえに
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
私たちは、新しい戦略を導入するまえに、既存のプロセスを見直す必要があります。
Focus: まえに
你说的：
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'Let's prepare before he comes.' The particle 'が' marks the subject of the subordinate clause, and 'を' marks the object of the main clause.
This sentence means 'Drinking coffee before work is a habit.' The particle 'の' connects '仕事' (work) to 'まえに' (before), and 'のが' nominalizes the phrase 'コーヒーを飲む' (to drink coffee).
This sentence means 'Let's review thoroughly before the exam.' 'しっかり' is an adverb meaning 'thoroughly,' and '～ておきましょう' means 'let's do something in advance.'
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
相关内容
这个词在其他语言中
相关表达
更多general词汇
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
