'전' mainly indicates a point in time before an event or state. It can also mean 'in front of' spatially or 'previous' in comparisons.
Nuances
- Emphasizes a specific past time point
- Indicates the front part of something spatially
- Means a previous state in comparisons
- Naturally used in both formal and informal speech
When to use
Time expressions, Location description, Comparison contexts
In context
'전' attaches to nouns to indicate time or order before something, e.g., '수업 전' means 'before class starts.' It also indicates spatial 'in front of' when attached to nouns. It is used in both formal and informal contexts.
