事前

じぜん

prior, beforehand, in advance

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"事前" means "prior," "beforehand," or "in advance." It is used to describe actions or preparations done before a certain event or time. This word is common in formal and business contexts but also appears in everyday conversation when emphasizing the importance of preparation.

Common Collocations

  • 事前に (じぜんに): adverbial form meaning "in advance" or "beforehand."
  • 事前準備 (じぜんじゅんび): "preparation beforehand."
  • 事前確認 (じぜんかくにん): "prior confirmation."

Usage Notes

When using 事前, it often implies careful planning or preparation to avoid problems later. It is frequently paired with verbs like する (to do), 確認する (to confirm), or 準備する (to prepare).

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 事前 with 後で (あとで, "later") or 前に (まえに, "before") but 事前 specifically emphasizes preparation or action taken well ahead of time, often with a formal nuance.

Example Sentences

じぜんによやくをしておくと、スムーズににゅうてんできます。

If you make a reservation in advance, you can enter smoothly.

じぜんのじゅんびがせいこうのかぎです。

Preparation beforehand is the key to success.

じぜんにもんだいてんをあらいだしておくひつようがあります。

It is necessary to identify problems in advance.