以前
Before, Not even, Before even, Precede, Far from
Structure
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
Explanation
As a suffix, the noun 以前 is used to point out that a more fundamental issue exists, making the initial topic (A) seem premature or irrelevant. It suggests that something more basic must be dealt with first, before one can even begin to consider (A). This grammar is often used to make a critical point, with a nuance similar to 'that's not even the real issue' or 'before we even get to (A)...'
以前 directly follows nouns, the dictionary form of verbs, い-Adjectives, and な-Adjectives. It is most commonly followed by the case-marking particle に when connected to a verb, or の when connected to another noun.
- 他人のせいにする以前に、まずは自分の行動を見直しなさい。Before you go blaming other people, take a good look at your own actions first.
- この料理は、おいしいかまずいか以前の問題で、見た目がひどすぎる。Never mind whether this dish is tasty or not; the bigger issue is that it looks terrible.
- そのアプリは便利か不便か以前に、個人情報が危険なので使うべきではない。Putting aside whether the app is convenient or not, you shouldn't use it because it's a risk to your personal information.
- 君がこの仕事に就けないのは、給料以前の問題だよ。そもそも必要なスキルがない。The reason you can't get this job has nothing to do with the salary. The problem is you don't even have the necessary skills.
While 前 also means 'before', 以前 suggests a much more basic or preliminary stage, effectively serving as an emphatic form of 前. This very emphasis on a more fundamental, preceding condition is what generates the critical tone, implying something like 'You're worried about (A), when the real problem (B) hasn't even been solved yet'.
Examples
どの大学に行くかは、学力いぜんの問題で、まず何を学びたいかが重要だ。
Which university to attend is an issue that precedes academic ability; first, it's important to decide what you want to study.
彼は新しい家具を買いたいと言っている。でも、それいぜんに、まず部屋を片付けるべきだ。
He says he wants to buy new furniture. However, before that, he should clean his room first.
試合に勝つか負けるかいぜんに、ルールをきちんと守ることが大切だ。
Before worrying about winning or losing the match, it's important to follow the rules properly.
この料理、美味しいか不味いかいぜんの問題で、そもそも衛生的に大丈夫なのか心配だ。
With this dish, before we even get to whether it's delicious or not, I'm worried if it's even hygienically safe.
デザインの美しさいぜんの問題で、このアプリは使いやすさが足りていない。
Before even considering the beauty of the design, there's the issue that this app simply isn't user-friendly enough.
Ａ：「火星に移住して、ポテトを育てたいな。」
Ｂ：「それいぜんに、宇宙飛行士になる試験に受かるのが先じゃない？」
A: 'I want to move to Mars and grow potatoes.'
B: 'Before that, shouldn't passing the astronaut exam come first?'
うまく話せるかどうかは、知識いぜんの問題だ。相手に伝えたいという気持ちが何より大事だ。
Whether or not you can speak well is an issue that precedes knowledge. The desire to communicate with the other person is what's most important.
先生が生徒に：「答えが合っているのは良いが、それいぜんに、どうしてその答えになるのか、途中の過程を理解することがもっと重要だよ。」
Teacher to the student: 'It's good that you have the right answer, but before that, it's more important to understand the process of how you arrived at that answer.'
Ａ：「この高いバッグ、買おうかどうしようか悩んでるんだ。」
Ｂ：「買う買わないいぜんに、そんなお金どこにあるの？」
A: 'I'm agonizing over whether or not to buy this expensive bag.'
B: 'Before you even think about buying it or not, where are you going to get that kind of money?'
新しいプロジェクトがうまくいくかどうか。それを心配するいぜんに、まずはチームの協力なしには始まらない。
Whether or not the new project will succeed... Before we worry about that, we can't even get started without the team's cooperation.
Ａ：「部長のこと、嫌いなの？」
Ｂ：「仕事のパートナーだから、好き嫌いいぜんの話だよ。」
A: 'Do you dislike the manager?'
B: 'He's my work partner, so it's a matter that comes before personal preferences.'
子供：「テストで100点取ったから、おもちゃ買って！」
親：「それはすごいわね。でも、それいぜんに、毎日の宿題をちゃんと終わらせるという約束はどうしたの？」
Child: 'I got a perfect score on my test, so buy me a toy!'
Parent: 'That's wonderful. But, before that, what happened to your promise to properly finish your daily homework?'