전에
jeone
In Korean, 'before' is said as 전에 (jeone).
전에 is used as a conjunction to mean 'in advance of the time when' or as an adverb to mean 'at an earlier time'. It can also function as a preposition meaning 'earlier than'.
Meaning: in advance of the time when (conj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 전에 is composed of the noun 전, meaning 'before' or 'front' and the particle 에, meaning 'at' or 'in'.
Which one should you use?
While 전에 is the standard way to say 'before', the form 이전에 is used to emphasize a specific point in the past or a previous state, often translating to 'previously' or 'in the past'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something has been happening 'since before' a certain time, you can change the particle 에 to 부터 to create the form 전부터.
How do you pronounce it?
jeone
Did you know?
- Korean uses the word 전 in the term 전생, which refers to a 'previous life' or 'past incarnation'.
- The word 전 is also used to describe 'previous' versions of things, such as 전 남자친구 for an 'ex-boyfriend'.
- When using 전에 to mean 'ago', you must place it after a specific duration, such as saying 'three days 전에' instead of '전에 three days'.
Examples in context
- 전에 만났던 것 기억해요.I remember seeing you before.This sentence shows how to use 전에 to refer to a past meeting.Tatoeba #7792880 by HappyMidnight, translation #255977 by CK
- 톰은 전에 호주에서 살았지?Tom lived in Australia before, right?This sentence uses 전에 to ask about a past living situation.Tatoeba #8362140 by Eunhee, translation #7159443 by CK
- 그 남자를 전에 본 적이 있어?Have you seen him before?This sentence uses 전에 to ask if someone has had a past experience.Tatoeba #11104613 by intertime, translation #2223766 by Hybrid
- 친구를 만나기 전에 음식점에 갈 거예요.I will go to the restaurant before meeting a friend.
- 저녁 먹기 전에 잠시 쉴래요.I will take a short rest before having dinner.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are discussing their schedule before a movie starts.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo영화 시작 전에 만날까요?yeonghwa sijak jeone mannalkkayo?Shall we meet before the movie starts?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 좋아요. 몇 시에 볼까요?ne, joayo. myeot sie bolkkayo?Yes, that's good. What time shall we see each other?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 여섯 시 어때요?Seoyeon ssi, yeoseot si eottaeyo?Seoyeon, how is six o'clock?
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 그때 만나요!Hyunwoo ssi, geuttae mannayo!Hyunwoo, let's meet then!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
