〜前に means "before doing X." The verb before 前に stays in dictionary form regardless of tense.
Sequence - Action A happens before action B
Time reference - X time before something
Opposite: 〜てから (after doing)
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Always dictionary form before 前に
- ✅ 食べる前に (before eating)
- ❌ 食べた前に
Different from 〜の前に (in front of) — spatial vs temporal
Before going out, turn off the lights.
I came to Japan 3 years ago.
In everyday context, Before going out, turn off the lights.
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