Beginner
Estimated read: 3 mins
전에 / -기 전에
Used to express that an action occurs before another action or a certain time. With time/period nouns, it means 'ago' (e.g., 1년 전에). When attached to verbs, it means 'before doing [verb]'.
Summary
Equivalent
Before / Ago
Example
Please take this medicine before meals.
식사 전에 이 약을 드세요.
Grammar rules
- Attach '전에' directly to nouns.
- For verbs, attach '기 전에' to the stem regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or consonant.
- Tense is expressed only in the final verb of the sentence. The '기 전에' part always uses the base stem.
밥을 먹었기 전에 (X) -> 밥을 먹기 전에 손을 씻었어요. (O) (I washed my hands before eating.)
Patterns
1
Nouns (Event/Time)
N/A · Noun + 전에
2
All Verbs
N/A · Verb Stem + 기 전에
Example sentences
Nouns (Event/Time) · N/A · Noun + 전에
Please take this medicine before meals.
식사 전에 이 약을 드세요.
Nouns (Event/Time) · N/A · Noun + 전에
I read a book before going to bed.
자기 전에 책을 읽습니다.
Nouns (Event/Time) · N/A · Noun + 전에
I came to Korea 3 years ago.
3년 전에 한국에 왔어요.
Conversation
A: When do you exercise?
언제 운동을 해요?
B: I usually exercise before going to work.
보통 회사에 가기 전에 운동해요.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Complete the sentence with the 'before' expression.
Routine.
Time noun.