Meaning and Usage
"直前" (ちょくぜん) means "just before" or "immediately before" something happens. It is used to indicate the time or moment immediately preceding an event or action.
Common Contexts
You will often see "直前" used with events like exams, meetings, departures, or deadlines to emphasize the last moment before these occur.
Collocations and Patterns
- "〜の直前" — "just before ~"; used to specify the event or time that is immediately following.
- "直前に" — adverbial form meaning "right before"; often used with verbs to describe actions taken immediately before something.
Register and Nuance
"直前" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It emphasizes the closeness in time to the following event.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "直前" with "前" or "前に", which mean "before" but do not necessarily imply immediacy. Use "直前" when you want to stress that something happens immediately before another event.