Which one should you use?
Use antes de que when it is followed by a clause containing a subject and a verb. If you are followed directly by a noun or an infinitive verb, use the preposition antes de. To use 'before' or 'previously' as an adverb without any following object, use antes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word enantes is a colloquial or dialectal variation used in some Latin American regions to mean 'before' or 'a little while ago'. Similarly, denante can be used to mean 'at an earlier time'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the conjunction antes de que to refer to a future or uncertain event, the verb in the following clause must be in the subjunctive mood. Additionally, you should use antes de with an infinitive verb when expressing an action that took place before another.
How do you pronounce it?
/antes de ke/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the indicative mood after antes de que. You must use the subjunctive mood instead.
Did you know?
- The word antes shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ante', as seen in the poker term 'ante up'.
- The word que in the phrase antes de que actually descends from the Latin word quid, which means 'what'.
- The use of the subjunctive mood after antes de que is mandatory even when the event is a certainty in the speaker's mind.
Examples in context
- Vete antes de que te vean.Go away before they see you here.This sentence shows how to use antes de que with a verb.Tatoeba #1508809 by marcelostockle, translation #1452803 by Spamster
- Murió antes de que yo llegase.He died before I arrived.This sentence demonstrates the use of antes de que with a verb.Tatoeba #990565 by Shishir, translation #1471381 by CK
- Llegaste antes de que yo llegara.You arrived before I did.This sentence provides an example of antes de que with a verb.Tatoeba #7794739 by arh, translation #8962589 by CK
- Llegué antes de que empezara la reunión.I arrived before the meeting started
- El informe debe ser entregado previo a la fecha límite.The report must be submitted before the deadline
- Te llamaré antes de la cena.I'll call you before dinner
- Ella se fue antes de comer.She left before eating
- 254 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are preparing for a dinner party.
- AlejandroElena, termina de cocinar antes de que lleguen los invitados.Elena, finish cooking before the guests arrive.
- ElenaEstá bien, Alejandro, pero necesito ayuda con la mesa.Okay, Alejandro, but I need help with the table.
- AlejandroYo la prepararé antes de que tú vuelvas a la cocina.I will prepare it before you go back to the kitchen.
- ElenaGracias, así terminaremos todo a tiempo.Thanks, that way we will finish everything on time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “before” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antes, de, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
