-기 전에Korean expression · TOPIK 1

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TOPIK 1 1급 Expressions 표현

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

형태Forms

-기 전에-기 전

Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.

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.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-.

동사 또는 '-으시-' 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

밥 먹기 전에 손부터 씻어라.

Wash your hands before you eat.

고향에 가기 전에 선물을 준비합시다.

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

수영을 하기 전에 준비 운동을 철저히 해야 합니다.

You should warm up thoroughly before swimming.

대화In conversation

해외여행을 떠나기 전에 무엇을 준비해야 할까요?

What should I prepare before going on a trip abroad?

먼저 여권을 준비하고 필요한 경비를 생각해서 환전을 해야 해요.

First, you need to get your passport ready and exchange money based on the expenses you expect.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other expressions you will meet alongside this one.

-고 싶다 -go sipda An expression used to state that the speaker wants to do the act mentioned in the preceding statement. TOPIK 1 -고 있다 -go itda An expression used to state that the act mentioned in the preceding statement is continued. TOPIK 1 -어야 되다 -eoya doeda -아야 되다 · -여야 되다 An expression used to indicate that one needs or is obligated to do a certain thing. TOPIK 1 -은 후에 -eun hu-e -은 후 · -ㄴ 후 An expression used to indicate that one does a certain act mentioned in the preceding statement and a while later, does another thing. TOPIK 1 -을 수 있다 -eul su itda -ㄹ 수 있다 An expression used to indicate that one has an ability to do something. TOPIK 1 -지 못하다 -ji motada An expression used to indicate that the speaker cannot do the act mentioned in the preceding statement, or that things did not work out as the… TOPIK 1

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -기 전에 mean in Korean?

-기 전에 is a expression introduced at 1급 (TOPIK 1). An expression used to state that a certain act occurs earlier than the act in the preceding statement.

When do you use -기 전에?

Attaches after verbs or the honorific -으시-. The other shape is -기 전 — same point, different environment.

What is the difference between -기 전에 and -기 전?

None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same expression, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.

What TOPIK level is -기 전에?

1급 — TOPIK 1, beginner. It is one of 45 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.