以前
いぜん
JLPT N5 · vocab_basicMeaning
before, previously, in the past
Examples
以前はここに大きな木がありました。
There used to be a big tree here before.
📖 How to Use
「以前」means "before, previously, in the past." Seeing it in full sentences helps you remember both meaning and grammar patterns.
⚠️ Teacher's Note — Common Mistakes
「以前」is read as「いぜん」— memorize it as a pair to avoid mistakes in もんだい1.
🎯 JLPT N5 — How It's Tested
もんだい1 & もんだい2
「以前」appears in vocabulary questions (choose the correct meaning) and context questions (choose the best word).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does 「以前」mean in Japanese?+
「以前」means "before, previously, in the past". It is a JLPT N5 vocabulary word in the "vocab_basic" category.
How do you read 「以前」?+
「以前」is read as「いぜん」.
Is 「以前」on the JLPT N5?+
Yes, 「以前」is an official JLPT N5 word. Mastering all N5 vocabulary (~800 words) is essential for passing.
Can you give an example sentence using 「以前」?+
以前はここに大きな木がありました。 — There used to be a big tree here before.
Practice 「以前」 with spaced repetition