JLPT N5

前に

Before ~

Structure

Verb dictionary form 前に

How it works

The particle '前に' (mae ni) is used to indicate that one action happens before another. When following a verb, you must always use the dictionary form (plain form), regardless of the tense of the main sentence.

Examples

寝る前に、本を読みます。

I read a book before I sleep.

食べる前に、手を洗います。

I wash my hands before eating.

日本へ行く前に、日本語を勉強しました。

I studied Japanese before I went to Japan.

Common mistakes

Using the past tense verb before '前に' (e.g., saying '食べた前に' instead of '食べる前に'). Even if the whole sentence is in the past, the verb before '前に' must stay in the dictionary form.

Tip

If you want to use '前に' with a noun instead of a verb, you must add 'の' (e.g., テストの前に - before the test).

More JLPT N5 grammar

はがをにでものと

See 前に in real Japanese

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