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Lv 1Grammar expressionBeginner · TOPIK I

-기 전에

-gi jeone

before

Attaches to a verb stem to indicate that the action in the following clause happens before the action described—'before doing.'

Form

Attaches to
Verb, Adjective, Auxiliary
Other shapes
-기 전

Meanings

  1. 1

    An expression used to state that a certain act occurs earlier than the act in the preceding statement.

    뒤에 오는 말이 나타내는 행동이 앞에 오는 말이 나타내는 행동보다 앞서는 것을 나타내는 표현.

    ※ 동사 또는 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

Examples

  • 밥 먹기 전에 손부터 씻어라.

    Wash your hands first before eating.

  • 고향에 가기 전에 선물을 준비합시다.

    Let's prepare gifts before we go to our hometown.

  • 수영을 하기 전에 준비 운동을 철저히 해야 합니다.

    You must warm up thoroughly before swimming.

  • 해외여행을 떠나기 전에 무엇을 준비해야 할까요?

    What should you prepare before going on an overseas trip?

  • 먼저 여권을 준비하고 필요한 경비를 생각해서 환전을 해야 해요.

    First you should prepare your passport, and exchange money after thinking about the expenses you'll need.

  • 밥 먹기 전에 손부터 씻어라.

    Wash your hands first before eating.

Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.

Don’t confuse with

Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.

Quick check

  1. 1. What does ‘-기 전에’ mean?

  2. 2. Which form means “before”?