If you’ve ever tried to follow directions in Japanese, you’ve likely encountered both 前 (mae) and 手前 (temae). They both relate to “in front” or “before,” but they describe space differently — and confusing them can send you to the wrong place! Understanding the subtle distinction will sharpen your spatial vocabulary and your ability to give and follow directions.
YukaRei, when giving directions, what’s the difference between 前 and 手前? Don’t they both mean “in front”?
ReiGood catch! 前 means “in front” relative to a reference point, or “before” in time. 手前 means “just before you reach” or “on this side of” — it describes the near side of something, as seen from where you currently are. In directions, 交差点の手前 means “just before the intersection,” while 交差点の前 means “in front of the intersection.”
At a Glance: 前 vs 手前
| Feature | 前 (mae) | 手前 (temae) |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | In front, before (time or space) | Just before reaching, on this side of |
| Word type | Noun / adverb | Noun |
| Kanji | 前（まえ） | 手前（てまえ） |
| Usage context | General “in front of,” time references | Directions: “just before you reach,” near side |
| JLPT level | N5 | N3 |
| Special meaning | Before (time: 3日前) | 手前 also = “I” (humble, old-fashioned) |
前 (Mae) — In Front and Before
前 is one of the most versatile direction and time words in Japanese. Spatially, it means “in front of” (something). Temporally, it means “before” — 3日前 (mikkamae) = three days ago, 食事の前に (shokuji no mae ni) = before the meal. In directions, 〜の前 is a neutral descriptor: the post office is in front of the station, the park is in front of the school. It does not imply how close or far you are from the reference point.
▶ 駅の前に銀行があります。
Eki no mae ni ginkou ga arimasu.
There is a bank in front of the station.
▶ 食事の前に手を洗いましょう。
Shokuji no mae ni te wo araimashou.
Let’s wash our hands before the meal.
▶ 3日前にメールを送った。
Mikkamae ni meeru wo okutta.
I sent an email three days ago.
Yuka前 is really versatile — it works for both space and time! I already knew that one for time expressions.
ReiRight! 前 is an N5 word and incredibly common. You’ll use it constantly. The tricky part is when spatial precision matters — that’s where 手前 comes in.
手前 (Temae) — The Near Side, Just Before You Reach
手前 combines 手 (hand) and 前 (front) — literally “the front at hand” — suggesting the space that is just within reach, on your side of something. In navigation, 手前 pinpoints the location just before you reach a landmark, from the speaker’s viewpoint. If someone says 交差点の手前を左に曲がってください, they mean “turn left just before you get to the intersection” — not after it, and not at it. This precision is critical when following directions!
▶ 交差点の手前を右に曲がってください。
Kousaten no temae wo migi ni magatte kudasai.
Please turn right just before the intersection.
▶ その角の手前に駐車場があります。
Sono kado no temae ni chuushajou ga arimasu.
There is a parking lot just before that corner.
▶ ゴールの手前で転んでしまった。
Gooru no temae de koronde shimatta.
I fell just before reaching the goal.
YukaOh! So 手前 is like “before you get there” — it’s perspective-based, from where I’m standing?
ReiExactly! 手前 is always relative to the speaker or traveler’s current position. It means “on this side of” or “before you reach.” Extremely important for directions!
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Using 前 when giving precise directions before a landmark | 前 is vague about which side — could mean at or past it | 手前 to specify “just before you reach it” |
| Using 手前 for time expressions | 手前 is spatial, not temporal | 前 for time: 3日前, 会議の前に |
| Confusing 手前 (temae) with 手前 (humble “I”) | In old/formal speech, 手前 = “I” (humble) — archaic but appears in period dramas | Context usually makes it clear |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Situation | 前 | 手前 |
|---|---|---|
| Three days ago | ✅ 3日前 | ❌ |
| “Just before the station” (directions) | ⚠️ vague | ✅ 駅の手前 |
| “In front of the school” | ✅ 学校の前 | ⚠️ (implies you haven’t reached it) |
| Before eating | ✅ 食事の前 | ❌ |
| “Turn before the light” (directions) | ❌ ambiguous | ✅ 信号の手前で曲がる |
Decision Flowchart
Are you talking about space or time?
|
TIME ← → SPACE
| |
v v
Use 前 ✅ Are you describing a location that
(e.g., 食事の前, is "on the near side" / "just before
3日前) you reach" a landmark?
YES → 手前 ✅
NO → 前 ✅ (general "in front of")Quick Quiz
YukaI want to make sure I can use these correctly when asking for directions!
ReiFill in with 前 or 手前.
Q1. “Please turn left just before the convenience store.” (giving directions)
コンビニの___を左に曲がってください → 手前 ✅
Q2. “The restaurant is in front of the station.”
レストランは駅の___にある → 前 ✅
Q3. “I fell just before reaching the finish line.”
ゴールの___で転んだ → 手前 ✅
Q4. “Before the meeting, let’s review the materials.”
会議の___に、資料を確認しましょう → 前 ✅
Q5. “I heard about it two weeks ago.”
2週間___に聞いた → 前 ✅
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