之前 — meaning in English

English meaning

• before preposition Earlier than a particular time or event.
• beforehand adverb In advance; ahead of the time something is needed or expected to happen.
• earlier adverb At a time before the present moment or before the time being talked about.
• ere preposition Before; earlier than (an old-fashioned or literary word).
• formerly adv At an earlier time; previously.
• rather adv Used to show a preference for one thing over another.

Senses

之前 is used for these senses in English:

• Antes (historical) A medieval European tribal union who lived north of the lower Danube and the Black Sea (on the territory of modern Moldova and Ukraine) in the 6th and 7th century AD.
• before At an earlier time.
• beforehand At an earlier or preceding time.
• earlier previously; before now; sooner
• ere (poetic, archaic) Before; sooner than.
• formerly at some time in the past
• rather Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than) [from 9th c.]

before — full definition

1. preposition Earlier than a particular time or event.
2. preposition In front of, in space or in the presence of someone.
3. adverb At an earlier time; previously.
4. conjunction Earlier than the time when something happens.

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