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Japanese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "in front" in Japanese?
前
mae
In Japanese, "in front" is 前 (mae).
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Pronunciation
前 is written using kanji. Romanised as mae, it sounds roughly like "mah-eh" to an English ear.
Writing and usage
Mae (前) means in front or the front area. It is one of the most frequently used positional words and appears in countless phrases about meetings, seating, and direction.
Example sentence
駅の前で待ち合わせましょう。
Eki no mae de machiawase mashou.
Let's meet in front of the station.
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How to remember 前
Mae (前) shows in place names, directions, and schedules constantly. Picture standing in front of something, facing the same direction.
Related words
Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.
Questions about 前
How do you pronounce 前?
前 is romanised as mae. Say it roughly like "mah-eh" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.
Is 前 formal or casual?
前 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.
How is 前 written in Japanese?
前 is written using kanji. Mae (前) means in front or the front area.
Where can I practice Japanese words for free?
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"In front" in other languages
Curated by Callan Ratcliffe
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