V + -기 전에 / N + 전에V + -gi jeone / N + jeone

V + -기 전에 / N + 전에 – Before doing V / Before N

Meaning: Before doing V / prior to N

Conjugation & Pattern

  • Verb: Verb stem (V) + -기 전에 (regardless of patchim: 자기 전에, 먹기 전에)
  • Noun: Time/Event Noun (N) + 전에 (식사 전에, 수업 전에, 일주일 전에)

Detailed Usage

Indicates that the action in the main clause takes place prior to the action in the '-기 전에' clause (or before the noun N).

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    밥을 먹기 전에 손을 씻으세요.

    Babeul meokgi jeone soneul ssiseuseyo.

    Please wash your hands before eating a meal.

  2. 2

    잠을 자기 전에 일기를 써요.

    Jameul jagi jeone ilgireul sseoyo.

    I write in my diary before going to sleep.

  3. 3

    수업 전에 숙제를 다 끝냈어요.

    Sueop jeone sukjereul da kkeunnaesseoyo.

    I finished all my homework before class.

Important Notes

Regardless of the sentence's overall tense, the verb before '-기 전에' is always in its base stem form.

Grammar Topics