前
[ma̠e̞]
In Japanese, 'in front of' is expressed as 前.
The word 前 is used to indicate being at or near the front part of something or someone. It can also be attached directly to nouns, such as 駅 (station), to create a compound noun like 駅前, which refers to the area or vicinity in front of that location.
Meaning: at or near the front part of (prep)
How does it change in a sentence?
The meaning of 前 changes depending on the particle used with it. Adding the particle に results in 前に, which can mean 'before' in a temporal sense, such as 'before eating'. Using the particle へ instead of の creates 前へ, which changes the meaning from a static position to a direction, meaning 'toward the front'.
Did you know?
- The word 前 originally combined the words for 'eye' and 'direction' to describe what lies before one's sight.
- In highly formal settings, the word 前 can be part of an honorific way to address someone, derived from the contraction of 御前ぜん.
- Japanese uses the word 前 to describe things that are 'previous' in a sequence, such as a 'former' president, treating the sequence of time as a physical line.
Examples in context
- 家の前は公園です。There is a park in front of my house.This sentence shows the use of 前 to describe a location relative to a house.Tatoeba #10901738 by small_snow, translation #250509 by Dejo
- 彼は私の前に座った。He sat in front of me.This sentence uses 前 to describe a person's position relative to another.Tatoeba #105757 by bunbuku, translation #297930 by CK
- 駅前に銀行があるよ。There is a bank in front of the station.This sentence demonstrates the compound usage of 前 with a station to describe the vicinity.Tatoeba #188824 by bunbuku, translation #25970 by CK
- 私の敬愛する先輩の面前に立つことは緊張します。Standing in front of my respected senior makes me nervous.
- お客様の目の前で一つ一つ丁寧に説明します。I will explain carefully, one by one, right in front of the customers.
- 駅の前 (えきのまえ)In front of the train station
- ビルの前 (びるのまえ)In front of the building
- 210 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting up at a busy station.
- 陽葵 Himari健太くん、どこにいるの？Kenta-kun, doko ni iru no?Kenta, where are you?
- 健太 Kenta駅の改札の前にいるよ。Eki no kaisatsu no mae ni iru yo.I am in front of the station ticket gate.
- 陽葵 Himariわかった、今すぐ行くね。Wakatta, ima sugu iku ne.Got it, I'm coming right now.
- 健太 Kenta待ってるよ。Matteru yo.I'll be waiting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 前, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 前, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
