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
밥을 먹기 전에 손을 씻으세요.
Babeul meokgi jeone soneul ssiseuseyo.
Please wash your hands before eating a meal.
- 2
잠을 자기 전에 일기를 써요.
Jameul jagi jeone ilgireul sseoyo.
I write in my diary before going to sleep.
- 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.