Japanese businesspeople at a meeting

Activities: 前に (mae ni) and 後で (ato de)

By: Akiko Kashiwagi-Wood
Associated Articles

These activities are part of our Japanese Grammar series. The skills we are practicing here are covered in our article:

Activity 1: Choose the best option

Choose the appropriate option in parentheses.

  • 大学を前に留学したいと思う。
    Daigaku o __ mae ni ryūgaku shitai to omou.
    I want to study abroad before I graduate from university.

  • 歯を前に、顔を洗った。
    Ha o __ mae ni, kao o aratta.
    I washed (my) face before brushing my teeth.

  • 新しい車を買った。
    __ atarashii kuruma o katta.
    I bought a new car four months ago.

  • 明日行けるかどうかは親と連絡します。
    Ashita ikeru ka dō ka wa oya to __ renraku shimasu.
    I will let you know whether I can go tomorrow or not after consulting with my parents.

  • 、一生懸命勉強した。
    __, isshōkenmei benkyō shita.
    I studied hard before the test.

  • 悪いんだけど、その本を後で図書館に返しておいてくれる?
    Warui n da kedo, sono hon o __ ato de toshokan ni kaeshite oite kureru?
    I'm sorry, but will you return the book to the library after reading it?

  • 雨が降る洗濯物を取り入れておく。
    Ame ga furu __ sentakumono o tori irete oku.
    I will bring in the laundry before it rains.

  • 試合で負けた 、悔しくて毎日朝から晩まで練習した。
    Shiai de maketa __, kuyashikute mainichi asa kara ban made renshū shita.
    After losing the match, I was frustrated and practiced every day from morning till night.

  • 午後1時に出かけましょう!
    Gogo ichi ji ni __ dekakemashō!
    Let’s leave after 1 PM!

Activity 2: Complete the diary

Lisa is studying Japanese and tries to write a diary in Japanese for practice. Help her complete her diary. For assistance with the vocabulary, use the list of words and pictures below.

  • X月Y日 (水曜日)

    今朝はいつもより30分ぐらい早く起きた。なぜなら、両親の代わりに犬の散歩に行かなくちゃいけなかったからだ。

    Kesa wa itsumo yori sanjuppun gurai hayaku okita. Naze nara, ryōshin no kawari ni inu no sanpo ni ikanakucha ikenakatta kara da.

    • I got up about 30 minutes earlier than usual this morning. It was because I had to walk the dog for my parents.

    まず、朝ごはんを食べて、歯を磨いた。(1)

    Mazu, asagohan o tabete, ha o migaita. (1) ___.

    First, I ate breakfast and brushed my teeth. (1) After brushing my teeth, I went for a walk with my dog.

    • Alternatively:
      歯を磨いた後で、犬と散歩に行った
      [Ha o migaita ato de, inu to sanpo ni itta.]

      After I brushed my teeth, I went on a walk with my dog.

    犬の散歩をしてから学校へ行った。読みたい本があったから、 (2)

    Inu no sanpo o shite kara gakkō e itta. Yomitai hon ga atta kara, (2) ___.

    After walking the dog, I went to school. There was a book I wanted to read, so (2) I borrowed it from the library before class.

    • Alternatively:
      クラスの前に図書館に行って、借りた。
      [Kurasu no mae ni toshokan ni itte, karita.]

      I went to the library before class and borrowed it.

    授業は午後3時に終わった。(3)

    Jugyō wa gogo sanji ni owatta. (3) ___.

    The class ended at 3:00 pm. (3) After class, I went to my part-time job at a bakery.

    • Alternatively:
      クラスの後で、パン屋のバイトに行った。
      [Kurasu no ato de, pan’ya no baito ni itta.]

      After class, I went to my part-time job at a bakery. (← same translation)

    アルバイトが終わってから、家に帰った。今日は宿題がなかったから、(4)

    Arubaito ga owatte kara, ie ni kaetta. Kyō wa shukudai ga nakatta kara, (4) ___.

    After finishing my part-time work, I went home. I didn't have any homework today, so (4) I listened to music before going to bed.

    • Alternatively:
      ベッドに入る前に、音楽を聴いた。
      [Beddo ni hairu mae ni, ongaku o kiita.]

      I listened to music before going to bed. (← same translation)

  • In the morning...

    A woman brushing her teeth in front of a yellow background.

    ⇒⇒⇒

    A woman walking two little dogs on a bright autumn day.

    歯を磨く

    ha o migaku

    to brush teeth

    後で

    ato de

    散歩をする

    sanpo o suru

    to go for a walk

    inu

    dog

  • In the afternoon...

    A woman picking out books at the library.

    ⇐⇐⇐

    A teacher in a classroom, in front of her young students. One of the students has her hand raised.

    借りる

    kariru

    to borrow

    図書館

    toshokan

    library

    hon

    book

    前に

    mae ni

    授業

    jugyō

    class

  • Later in the afternoon...

    A teacher in a classroom, in front of her young students. One of the students has her hand raised.

    ⇒⇒⇒

    A bakery employee behind the counter. There are all sorts of delicious-looking pastries in front of her.

    授業

    jugyō

    class

    後で

    ato de

    アルバイトに行く

    arubaito ni iku

    to go to part-time job

    パン屋

    pan’ya

    bakery

  • At night...

    A woman relaxing in pink headphones.

    ⇐⇐⇐

    A woman sleeping on a blue pillow.

    聴く

    kiku

    to listen

    音楽

    ongaku

    music

    前に

    mae ni

    inu

    dog

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