Structure
Noun(1) + 以前(に)
Noun(1) (A) + 以前 + の + Noun (B)
(1) A(2) + (Antonym) A(2), Verb (A) + Verb (A)[ない](2)
(2) [な]Adjective、[い]Adjective
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About 以前
When used as a suffix, the noun 以前 ‘preceding’, or ‘prior to’ will indicate that a topic is being brought forward as not even fulfilling the minimum requirements of (A), and therefore is expected to be reached before that minimum. Often, this will come across as ‘before even (A)’ in English, and is used to criticize something that is thoughtless or irresponsible.
以前 will appear directly after another nouns, the dictionary form of verbs, い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives. In most cases, 以前 will be followed by either the case-marking particle に or の, depending on whether it is being linked to a subsequent verb or noun.
以前 will appear directly after another nouns, the dictionary form of verbs, い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives. In most cases, 以前 will be followed by either the case-marking particle に or の, depending on whether it is being linked to a subsequent verb or noun.
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人のことを心配する以前に自分の心配をしろ!Before worrying about others, worry about yourself!
- それは古いか新しいか以前の問題だと思う。I think that is a problem before worrying about whether it is new or old.
- 安全か危険か以前に、それは法律で禁じられているので試すこともできません。Before whether it is safe or dangerous, that is forbidden by law, so you will not even be able to try it.
- お前が結婚できないのは顔以前の問題だよ。お前は性格が悪すぎる。Your face is far from the reason you cannot get married. You have a bad personality.
Examples
ポイ捨ては法律以前の道義的な問題だ。
When it comes to littering, before even the law, it is a moral issue.
彼は、自分が女の子にモテないのはファッションがださいからだと思ってる。それは事実だけど、それ以前の問題として、彼は性格に問題がある。
He believes that he is not popular with girls due to his bad fashion sense. While that is true, preceding even that, he has issues with his personality.
信じる信じない以前にもっと根本的な問題なんだよ。先ずどうにか彼女にこの事を伝えなきゃ。
Before whether she believes it or not, there is a more fundamental issue. To start, I must somehow convey this to her.
食べずに「ブロッコリーが嫌い」という人もいます。好き嫌い以前に、食べてみることが大事なのです。食べた上で、好き嫌いはご自由に。
There are even people who say 'I don't like brocolli', without having eaten it. Before being nitpicky, what's important is to try it. Upon eating it, then feel free to be fussy.
パフォーマンス以前の問題で、基本的な機能を実装する必要があります。
Preceding the performance issue, it is necessary to equip it with basic functionality.
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