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How to Say "before" in Spanish

English → Spanish

primero

/pree-MEH-roh//pɾiˈme.ɾo/

adverbA1general
Use 'primero' when 'before' means 'first' in a sequence of actions or events.
A character indicating the beginning step on a journey or path.

Examples

Primero, lava las verduras y luego córtalas.

First, wash the vegetables and then cut them.

Primero, vamos a cenar y luego vamos al cine.

First, we're going to have dinner, and then we're going to the movies.

No quiero ir. Primero, estoy cansado. Segundo, no tengo dinero.

I don't want to go. Firstly, I'm tired. Secondly, I don't have any money.

Llegué primero que tú.

I arrived before you.

Always Stays the Same

When you use 'primero' to mean 'firstly' or to start a sequence of events, it never changes. It's always 'primero', no matter who is doing the action.

anteriormente

an-te-riohr-MEN-teh/an.te.ɾjoɾˈmen.te/

adverbB1general
Use 'anteriormente' when 'before' refers to a time in the past, meaning 'previously' or 'formerly'.
A vibrant green caterpillar sits on a large green leaf. Nearby, a colorful monarch butterfly is flying away, symbolizing the transformation that occurred previously.

Examples

Anteriormente, viví en Madrid por cinco años.

Previously, I lived in Madrid for five years.

Anteriormente, trabajaba como profesora de historia.

Previously, I worked as a history teacher.

El edificio, anteriormente una biblioteca, es ahora un restaurante.

The building, formerly a library, is now a restaurant.

Aunque anteriormente se había negado, la junta directiva aprobó el plan de expansión.

Although it had previously been denied, the board of directors approved the expansion plan.

Adverb Placement

Like many adverbs ending in -mente, 'anteriormente' usually sits near the verb it describes, or at the beginning of the sentence to set the scene.

Using 'anterior' instead

Mistake: “Usé el libro anterior.”

Correction: The word 'anterior' is an adjective (previous/former), so you must add the -mente ending to turn it into an adverb meaning 'previously' or 'formerly' (Usé el libro anteriormente).

ante

/AN-tay//ˈante/

prepositionB1formal
Use 'ante' when 'before' means 'in the presence of' or 'facing' someone, especially an authority figure.
A small person standing directly facing a large, robed judge seated behind a high wooden desk in a formal courtroom setting, illustrating 'before' or 'in the presence of'.

Examples

El acusado compareció ante el tribunal.

The accused appeared before the court.

El testigo declaró ante el juez.

The witness testified before the judge.

Ante la falta de pruebas, lo dejaron ir.

In the face of the lack of evidence, they let him go.

Mostró gran valentía ante el peligro.

He showed great bravery in the face of danger.

When to Use 'Ante' vs. 'Delante de'

Use 'ante' for more abstract or formal situations, like being 'before' a judge or 'in the face of' a problem. Use 'delante de' for simple physical location, like 'the car is in front of the house'.

Confusing 'Ante' (Position) with 'Antes' (Time)

Mistake: “Llegué a la fiesta ante de ti.”

Correction: Llegué a la fiesta antes de ti. 'Ante' is about facing something or someone. 'Antes' is about time (before).

Confusing 'primero' and 'anteriormente'

Learners often confuse 'primero' (first in a sequence) with 'anteriormente' (previously in time). Remember that 'primero' indicates order ('first, then...'), while 'anteriormente' refers to a past state or event ('before this, that happened').

Related Translations

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