anterior
/ahn-teh-RYOR/
previous
Depicting something that happened or came before in a sequence, illustrating 'anterior' as previous.
anterior(adjective)
previous
?referring to time or sequence
,former
?referring to a preceding item or person
preceding
?formal synonym
,last (the one before this one)
?informal context
📝 In Action
Olvidé el código que usamos en la reunión anterior.
A2I forgot the code we used in the previous meeting.
Mi trabajo anterior era mucho más tranquilo que este.
B1My former job was much calmer than this one.
Si comparas este capítulo con el anterior, la historia tiene más sentido.
B2If you compare this chapter with the preceding one, the story makes more sense.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Invariance
Since 'anterior' ends in -r, it is a neutral adjective that doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine nouns (e.g., 'el coche anterior' and 'la casa anterior').
Placement
'Anterior' almost always comes after the noun it describes, unlike some adjectives that describe time.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Anterior' and 'Antes'
Mistake: "Usando 'Mi antes trabajo' (My before job)"
Correction: Use 'anterior' as the adjective: 'Mi trabajo anterior'. 'Antes' is an adverb meaning 'before'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
While common, 'anterior' sounds slightly more formal or precise than just using 'pasado' (last). Use 'anterior' when stressing sequence or order.
Illustrating 'anterior' when referring to the front position of an object.
📝 In Action
La parte anterior del edificio necesita reparación urgente.
B1The front part of the building needs urgent repair.
Los dientes anteriores se utilizan para cortar la comida.
C1The anterior (front) teeth are used for cutting food.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Delantero' for Everyday 'Front'
For non-technical situations (like the front seat of a car or the front door), 'delantero/a' is much more common and natural than 'anterior'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: anterior
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'anterior' to mean 'front' (position)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'anterior' and 'pasado'?
'Pasado' (last/past) is generally used to refer to time periods (e.g., 'el mes pasado' - last month). 'Anterior' (previous/preceding) is used when emphasizing the sequence or order, often in written or formal contexts (e.g., 'la página anterior' - the previous page).
Can I use 'anterior' as a noun?
Yes, but usually in the fixed phrase 'lo anterior' (the previous thing/what was mentioned before). Example: 'Lo anterior es muy importante' (The previous point is very important).