How do I use the Korean verb ending -기 전에 (-gi jeone)?

The Korean verb ending -기 전에 (-gi jeone) is used to express an action that occurs "before doing something" or "before a certain point in time." This structure is useful when you want to convey the idea of doing one thing before moving on to another. Here's how you can use it in sentences:

Basic Structure:

1. Verb/Adjective + 기 전에:

   • This form is used after a verb or an adjective.

2. Examples:

   • 일어나다 (il-eonada) - to wake up
     • 일어나기 전에 커피를 마셔요. (Il-eonagi jeone keopi-reul masyeoyo.)
       • I drink coffee before waking up.
   • 먹다 (meokda) - to eat
     • 밥을 먹기 전에 손을 씻어야 해요. (Bab-eul meokgi jeone son-eul ssis-eoya haeyo.)
       • You have to wash your hands before eating.

Additional Tips:

• Casual and Polite Speech: Like many verb endings, -기 전에 can be used in both casual and polite speech. If you want to make it more polite, you can add 요 (yo) at the end.

• Usage with Adjectives: It can be used with adjectives as well, indicating a condition that should be met before another action.

Examples:

1. Verb:

   • 자다 (jada) - to sleep
     • 자기 전에 책을 읽는 것이 좋아요. (Jagi jeone chaeg-eul ilg-neun geosi johayo.)
       • It's good to read a book before sleeping.
   • 나가다 (nagada) - to go out
     • 나가기 전에 날씨를 확인해 봐. (Nagagi jeone nalssi-reul hwaginhae bwa.)
       • Check the weather before going out.

2. Adjective:

   • 피곤하다 (pigonhada) - to be tired
     • 피곤하기 전에 좀 쉬어야 돼요. (Pigonhagi jeone jom swieoya dwaeyo.)
       • You should rest a bit before getting tired.
   • 바쁘다 (bappeuda) - to be busy
     • 바쁘기 전에 간단한 운동을 해봐요. (Bappeugi jeone gandanhan undong-eul hae bwayo.)
       • Try doing a simple exercise before getting busy.

Conversation Examples:

1. Casual:

   • A: 뭐 할 거야? (Mwo hal geoya?)
     • A: What are you going to do?
   • B: 밥 먹기 전에 숙제를 먼저 해야 돼. (B: Bab meokgi jeone sukjeleul meonjeo haeya dwae.)
     • B: I have to do my homework before eating.

2. Polite:

   • A: 회의 시작 전에 문서를 확인해 주세요. (A: Ho-ui sijak jeone munseo-reul hwaginhae juseyo.)
     • A: Please check the documents before the meeting starts.
   • B: 네, 알겠습니다. (B: Ne, algesseumnida.)
     • B: Yes, I understand.

Additional Phrases:

1. Before Going to Bed:

   • 취침 전에 핸드폰 사용을 줄이세요. (Chwichim jeone haendeupon sayong-eul jul-iseyo.)
     • Reduce phone usage before going to bed.

2. Before Leaving the House:

   • 나가기 전에 문을 잠그세요. (Nagagi jeone mun-eul jamgeuseyo.)
     • Lock the door before leaving.

3. Before a Meeting:

   • 회의 전에 준비물을 확인하세요. (Ho-ui jeone junbimul-eul hwagin-haseyo.)
     • Check your materials before the meeting.

Using -기 전에 is a convenient way to express the order of actions or conditions that need to be met before proceeding with another activity. It helps in providing clear instructions or conveying the sequence of events.