기 전에

This construction is equivalent to English's 'before doing (something)'. 기 is used as a nominaliser to change the verb form into a noun. This pattern is used with action verbs.

Conjugation Rule

verb stem of an action verb + 기 전에

Conjugation Rule

	Pattern	Case	Example
Rule 1:		If there is no 받침 or if the adjective/verb stem has ㄹ as a 받침
Rule 2:		If there is a 받침 at the end of the adjective/verb stem

공부하다 (to study) --> 공부하기 전에 (Before studying..)
운동하다 (to exercise) --> 운동하기 전에 (Before exercising..)
먹다 (to eat) --> 먹기 전에 (Before eating..)

Sentence Examples

Korean	English	Notes
저녁을 먹기 전에 숙제를 하세요!	Please do your homework before eating dinner!	imperative
사진찍기 전에 머리를 빗으세요.	Comb your hair before taking a picture.	imperative
나는 식사를 하기 전에 기도를 해요.	I pray before meals.	polite informal form
우리는 손님이 도착하기 전에 요리를 끝내야해.	We sould finish the cooking before guests arriving.	low form
엄마가 오기 전에 방을 치워야해.	We have to clean this room before mom coming	low form
한국에 오기 전에 무슨일 했어요?	What did you do for living beroe coming Korea?	polite informal form
수업을 시작하기 전에 제 소개를 할게요.	Let me introduce myself befor starting class.	polite informal form
해뜨기 전에 떠나야해.	I should leave before sunrising.	low form
방에 들어오기 전에 노크하세요.	Please knock on the door before entering the room.	imperative
마시기 전에 잘 흔드세요.	Please shake well before drinking.	imperative

Exceptions

• Example

Pronunciation

• Special pronunciation rule?

See Also

• V + (으)ㄴ 후에