前
まえ
hepburn mae
front, before
Part of speech · noun
Pattern visualization
Examples
- 駅の前で会いましょう。Let's meet in front of the station.
- 三年前に日本に来ました。I came to Japan three years ago.
Collocations
~の前 (in front of, before)~年前 (~ years ago)前に (before, ago)駅前 (ekimae, station front)名前 (namae, name — contains 前!)
Mnemonic
前 mae — TWO meanings: ① spatial "in front" (駅の前) ② temporal "ago/before" (3年前). The の pattern: ~の前. Common compounds: 駅前 ekimae, 名前 namae (yes, "name" contains 前!), 一人前 ichininmae (full portion). Opposites: 後ろ ushiro (behind spatial) / 後 ato (after temporal).
Quick check
"Wash hands before meals" — natural Japanese?