What does "antes de" mean?
The phrase "antes de" means "before." It is the go-to chunk for talking about time and sequences. Whether you are scheduling a meeting, following a recipe, or planning a trip, you will use this phrase constantly.
15 High-Frequency Examples
1.
Siempre tomo café antes de trabajar.
I always drink coffee before working. (presente de indicativo)
I always drink coffee before working. (presente de indicativo)
2.
Él leía mucho antes de tener hijos.
He used to read a lot before having children. (imperfecto de indicativo)
He used to read a lot before having children. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Terminé el informe justo antes de la reunión.
I finished the report right before the meeting. (pretérito)
I finished the report right before the meeting. (pretérito)
4.
Llegaremos al aeropuerto antes de las seis.
We will arrive at the airport before six o'clock. (futuro)
We will arrive at the airport before six o'clock. (futuro)
5.
Yo llamaría al restaurante antes de ir.
I would call the restaurant before going. (potencial simple)
I would call the restaurant before going. (potencial simple)
6.
Espero terminar el código antes de que empiece el fin de semana.
I hope to finish the code before the weekend starts. (subjuntivo - "antes de que")
I hope to finish the code before the weekend starts. (subjuntivo - "antes de que")
7.
El jefe quería que enviáramos el correo antes de la cena.
The boss wanted us to send the email before dinner. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
The boss wanted us to send the email before dinner. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has probado el vino antes de comprarlo?
Have you tasted the wine before buying it? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you tasted the wine before buying it? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Ya habían salido antes de mi llegada.
They had already left before my arrival. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
They had already left before my arrival. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron cenado antes de que se fuera la luz.
They had barely dined before the power went out. (pretérito anterior)
They had barely dined before the power went out. (pretérito anterior)
11.
Para mayo, habremos reservado todo antes de que suban los precios.
By May, we will have booked everything before the prices go up. (futuro perfecto)
By May, we will have booked everything before the prices go up. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría avisado antes de cambiar el plan, pero no tuve señal.
I would have warned before changing the plan, but I didn't have a signal. (potencial compuesto)
I would have warned before changing the plan, but I didn't have a signal. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que hayan llegado antes de tiempo.
I don't think they have arrived ahead of time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I don't think they have arrived ahead of time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubieras preguntado antes de empezar, no habría este problema.
If you had asked before starting, there wouldn't be this problem. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If you had asked before starting, there wouldn't be this problem. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Lávate las manos antes de comer!
Wash your hands before eating! (imperativo)
Wash your hands before eating! (imperativo)