전에
Before
전에 means 'before'. Use it after a noun (Noun + 전에) or a verb (Verb Stem + -기 전에) to talk about something that happens before that noun (event) or action.
How It Works
전에 is used to indicate that one action happens before another. The overall tense of the sentence is determined by the final verb, not the verb that comes before 전에.
There are two main ways to use it:
1. Noun + 전에
This is used when the point of reference is a noun, often an event or a period of time.
- 식사 전에 (before the meal)
- 수업 전에 (before class)
- 1년 전에 (1 year ago)
2. Verb Stem + -기 전에
To use 전에 with a verb, you must first change the verb into a noun form by attaching the nominalizer -기 to the verb stem.
- 먹다 → 먹기 전에 (before eating)
- 가다 → 가기 전에 (before going)
- 공부하다 → 공부하기 전에 (before studying)
The structure is: [Action B]-기 전에 [Action A].
This means that Action A happens before Action B. For example, in '자기 전에 책을 읽어요' (I read a book before sleeping), reading the book (Action A) happens first, and sleeping (Action B) happens second.
Examples (5)
- 식사 전에 손을 씻으세요.
Please wash your hands before the meal.
Word by Word: Meal before hands wash (please).
- 수업 전에 커피를 마셨어요.
I drank coffee before class.
Word by Word: Class before coffee drank.
- 자기 전에 책을 읽어요.
I read a book before sleeping.
Word by Word: Sleeping before book read.
자다 (to sleep) becomes 자기 by adding -기.
- 한국에 오기 전에 한국어를 공부했어요.
I studied Korean before coming to Korea.
Word by Word: Korea to coming before Korean studied.
- 영화를 보기 전에 팝콘을 샀어요.
I bought popcorn before watching the movie.
Word by Word: Movie watching before popcorn bought.
Common Mistakes
Using past tense on the verb before 전에.
Not Quite한국에 왔기 전에 한국어를 공부했어요.Better한국에 오기 전에 한국어를 공부했어요.The verb before 전에 should always be in its dictionary stem form + -기. The tense of the entire sentence is indicated by the final verb (공부했어요).
Forgetting to add -기 to a verb stem.
Not Quite자다 전에 책을 읽어요.Better자기 전에 책을 읽어요.전에 must attach to a noun. To use it with a verb, you must first turn the verb into a noun form using the -기 ending.
Related Patterns
- 후에/뒤에After, Later
This is the direct opposite of 전에, meaning 'after'. They are a fundamental pair for describing the sequence of events. (e.g., 식사 전에 'before the meal' vs. 식사 후에 'after the meal').
- -기Nominalizer
This is the nominalizer required to use 전에 with verbs. It changes a verb into a noun (e.g., 먹다 → 먹기), allowing 전에 to attach to it.
- -ㄴ 다음에/후에After -ing
Similar to 후에/뒤에, this also means 'after doing' an action. It's a common alternative to V-고 나서 or V-은 후에 for sequencing actions.
- 때When, During
While 전에 means 'before', 때 means 'when' or 'at the time of'. It's another crucial time expression. Compare: '밥 먹기 전에' (before eating) vs. '밥 먹을 때' (when eating).