Before doing

This pattern is used to indicate that one action takes place before another. It attaches to a verb stem to create a clause that means "before doing [verb]".

Formation

It's very simple: attach -기 전에 directly to the verb stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.

가다 (to go): 가 + 기 전에 → 가기 전에 (before going)

먹다 (to eat): 먹 + 기 전에 → 먹기 전에 (before eating)

만들다 (to make): 만들 + 기 전에 → 만들기 전에 (before making)

Usage

The clause with -기 전에 sets the time reference. The main clause contains the action that must happen first.

Sentence Structure: [Action to do first] + [Action to do second]-기 전에.

Example: 밥 먹기 전에 손 씻어. (Wash your hands before eating.)

Action 1: Wash your hands.

Action 2: Eat.

Tense

The -기 전에 clause itself doesn't get conjugated for tense. The tense of the entire sentence is shown on the final verb.

Past Tense: 말하기 전에 생각했어요? (Did you think before you spoke?) - The thinking happened before the speaking, both in the past.

가기 전에 전화해. / 밥 먹기 전에 손 씻어. / 시작하기 전에 화장실 다녀와.

While -기 전에 literally means "before," it often carries an important nuance of advice, warning, or urgency. It's not just a neutral time marker; it frequently implies "...before it's too late" or "...while you still can."

Giving Advice or Warnings

Many of the examples are commands that advise someone to act promptly to avoid a negative outcome.

후회하기 전에 잘해. (Treat them well before you regret it.)

잊어버리기 전에 메모해. (Take a note before you forget.)

Expressing a Deadline

It can also be used to state a necessary condition before a certain point in time.

늦기 전에 취소해. (Cancel before it's too late.)

해가 뜨기 전에 들어가야 해. (We have to get inside before the sun rises.)

When you hear -기 전에, listen for this implied sense of urgency or recommendation.

늦기 전에 취소해. / 후회하기 전에 잡아. / 해가 뜨기 전에 들어가야 해요.

A common point of confusion for learners is the difference between "before" and "after." The opposite of -기 전에 is -(으)ㄴ 후에 (after doing).

-기 전에 (Before)

This pattern indicates that the main clause action must happen first, before the action in the -기 전에 clause.

자기 전에 양치질해. (Brush your teeth before sleeping.)

Sequence: 1. Brush teeth, 2. Sleep.

-(으)ㄴ 후에 (After)

This pattern indicates that the main clause action happens second, after the action in the -(으)ㄴ 후에 clause is completed.

일어난 후에 양치질해. (Brush your teeth after waking up.)

Sequence: 1. Wake up, 2. Brush teeth.

Mastering the contrast between these two is key to correctly sequencing events in Korean.

Before: 오기 전에 연락해. (Contact me before you come.)

After: 온 후에 연락해. (Contact me after you arrive.)

자기 전에 양치질하세요. / 일어난 후에 양치질하세요. / 가기 전에 전화해. / 도착한 후에 전화해.

The -기 전에 pattern itself is neutral. The overall politeness of the sentence is determined by the verb ending in the main clause. The script lines show many examples of switching between casual and polite commands.

Casual Language (반말)

Used with close friends, family, or people younger than you. The final verb often ends in -아/어.

후회하기 전에 잡아. (Grab her before you regret it.)

식기 전에 먹어. (Eat before it gets cold.)

Polite Language (해요체)

Used in most daily situations with people you don't know well, colleagues, or those older than you. The command form often uses -(으)세요.

후회하기 전에 잡으세요.

식기 전에 드세요. (Note: 드시다 is the honorific form of 먹다)

This simple switch allows you to use the same core pattern in any social context.

잊어버리기 전에 메모해. / 잊어버리기 전에 메모하세요. / 보내기 전에 확인해. / 보내기 전에 확인하세요.