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antes

ahn-tessˈantes

before

Also: previously, formerly, first
A timeline showing one event happening before another, indicating the past.

📝 In Action

Yo vivía en Madrid antes.

A1

I lived in Madrid before.

Antes, los teléfonos no tenían internet.

A2

Previously, phones didn't have internet.

Piénsalo bien antes.

B1

Think about it well first.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • previamente (previously)
  • antiguamente (in old times, formerly)

Antonyms

  • después (after, later)
  • luego (then, later)

Common Collocations

  • cuanto antes – as soon as possible
  • mucho antes – long before
  • poco antes – shortly before

Idioms & Expressions

  • antes que nada – first of all, before anything else

before

A2
A person looking at a menu before ordering their food, showing an action preceding another.

📝 In Action

Lávate las manos antes de comer.

A2

Wash your hands before eating.

Llegué a la oficina antes de las nueve.

A2

I arrived at the office before nine o'clock.

Revisa el coche antes del viaje.

B1

Check the car before the trip.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • después de (after)

before

Someone closing a window as storm clouds gather, an action taken before an impending event.

📝 In Action

Llámame antes de que te vayas.

B1

Call me before you go.

Tenemos que terminar antes de que lleguen los invitados.

B1

We have to finish before the guests arrive.

Esconde el regalo antes de que ella lo vea.

B2

Hide the gift before she sees it.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • después de que (after)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "antes" in Spanish:

first→formerly→previously→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: antes

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence is correct? 'I need to leave before my brother arrives.'

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
anteayer(the day before yesterday) — Adverb
antelación(advance notice, anticipation) — Noun
antepasado(ancestor) — Noun
anterior(previous, prior) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes directly from the Latin word 'ante', which means 'before' or 'in front of'. It's a very old and stable word that has kept its meaning for thousands of years.

First recorded: c. 950

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: antesItalian: anziFrench: avant

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the simple difference between 'antes de' and 'antes de que'?

It's all about who is doing the actions! If the same person does both things, use 'antes de' + the basic verb (e.g., 'Como antes de salir' - I eat before I leave). If two different people are involved, you must use 'antes de que' + a special verb form (e.g., 'Como antes de que tú salgas' - I eat before you leave).

Can I just say 'antes' at the end of a sentence?

Yes, absolutely! It's very common. Saying 'Ya lo hice antes' means 'I already did it before.' It implies 'before now'.