Introduction
In this blog, we will cover two essential grammar structures: -前に (mae ni) and -てから (te kara). These are used to describe when one action occurs before or after another.
What It Means
-前に (mae ni) means “before” and is used to describe an action that happens before something else. -てから (te kara) means “after,” and is used to describe an action that happens after something else.
When You Use It
- 前に (mae ni)
You use –前に (mae ni) to describe what happens before another action. It uses the present short form of the verb, even if the overall sentence is in the past tense.
For example:
- 服を買う前に、着てみます。
(Fuku o kau mae ni, kite mimasu.)
I try on clothes before I buy them. - 日本に来る前に、1ヶ月日本語を勉強しました。
(Nihon ni kuru mae ni, ikkagetsu nihongo o benkyou shimashita.)
I studied Japanese for one month before I came to Japan.
The pattern is:
Verb A (short, present) + 前に verb B = B before A.
- –てから (te kara)
You use –てから (te kara) to describe what happens after an action. It uses the te-form of the verb.
For example:
- 宿題をしてから、遊びに行きました。
(Shukudai o shite kara, asobi ni ikimashita.)
I finished my homework and then went out. - りくさんが来てから、食べましょう。
(Riku-san ga kite kara, tabemashou.)
Let’s start eating after Riku arrives.
The pattern is:
Verb A + てから verb B = A, and then B./B after A.
Examples
- コーヒーを飲む前に、シャワーを浴びます。
(Koohii o nomu mae ni, shawaa o abimasu.)
I take a shower before drinking coffee. - 仕事が終わってから、映画を見ます。
(Shigoto ga owatte kara, eiga o mimasu.)
I watch a movie after work.
Note
An “A てから B” sentence can also describe a state that has continued since A happened:
- 犬が死んでから、とてもさびしいです。
(Inu ga shinde kara, totemo sabishii desu.)
I have been very lonely since my dog died.
The loneliness expressed by the speaker is the state that has continued since the event of the dog’s death (A).
Conclusion
Now you know how to use -前に (mae ni) to express actions that happen before another and -てから (te kara) to describe actions that occur after another. These structures are vital for expressing sequences in everyday conversations.
Recommended Resources
For a deeper understanding of -mae ni and -te kara, I recommend “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar“. This book provides clear, detailed explanations of important grammar points, including how to describe sequences of actions in Japanese.
