Before (-기 전에)
-기 전에
Expresses that something happens before another action, meaning 'before doing'.
Pattern
Verb stem + -기 전에 / Noun + 전에
Explanation
-기 전에 is used to express that one action occurs before another. The verb stem attaches to -기, followed by 전에 (before). For example, 자기 전에 means 'before sleeping' and 먹기 전에 means 'before eating'.
This pattern always uses the base verb stem regardless of tense. Even when talking about the past, you say 자기 전에 (not 잤기 전에). The tense is expressed in the main clause: 자기 전에 이를 닦았어요 (Before sleeping, I brushed my teeth).
With nouns, you simply use 전에 without -기: 수업 전에 (before class), 점심 전에 (before lunch). This is a very practical pattern for describing sequences of events and daily routines.
Examples
자기 전에 이를 닦아요.
Jagi jeone ireul dakkayo.
I brush my teeth before sleeping.
수업 전에 커피를 마셔요.
Sueop jeone keopireul masyeoyo.
I drink coffee before class.
한국에 오기 전에 한국어를 공부했어요.
Hanguge ogi jeone hangugeoreul gongbuhasseoyo.
Before coming to Korea, I studied Korean.
나가기 전에 문을 잠그세요.
Nagagi jeone muneul jamgeuseyo.
Please lock the door before going out.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
잤기 전에 이를 닦았어요.
Correct
자기 전에 이를 닦았어요.
Always use the base stem with -기 전에, never the past tense form. Tense is shown in the main verb.
Wrong
자기전에 이를 닦아요.
Correct
자기 전에 이를 닦아요.
Write a space between -기 and 전에. They are separate grammatical units.
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