How to say “in advance” or “beforehand” in Japanese | 前もって（まえもって、maemotte)

The Japanese vocabulary「前もって（まえもって、maemotte)」is an adverb and means “in advance” or “beforehand.” Please learn the pronunciation and the example sentences.

Japanese Vocabulary and the Meaning

Key Word	前もって
Hiragana	まえもって
Romaji Reading	maemotte
English Meaning	in advance, beforehand

The Correct Japanese Pronunciations

Please learn the pronunciation by watching the attached video. You can also learn example sentences.

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The Example Japanese Sentences

It is important to have skills in both non-honorific and honorific languages in order to use Japanese correctly.

I’ll prepare a gift for my girlfriend in advance.

Plain Form:

Japanese Sentence	前まえもって彼女かのじょへのプレゼントを用意よういする。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte kanojo e no purezento o yōi suru.

Polite Form:

Japanese Sentence	前もって彼女へのプレゼントを用意します。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte kanojo e no purezento o yōi shimasu.

I should have made a reservation at the Japanese-style pub in advance.

Plain Form:

Japanese Sentence	前まえもって居酒屋いざかやの予約よやくをするべきだった。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte izakaya no yoyaku o suru beki datta.

Polite Form:

Japanese Sentence	前もって居酒屋の予約をするべきでした。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte izakaya no yoyaku o suru beki deshita.

Email me in advance.

Spoken and Non-honorific Language:

Japanese Sentence	前まえもってメールして。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte mēru shite.

Please email me in advance.

Polite Form:

Japanese Sentence	前もってメールしてください。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte mēru shite kudasai.

Could you email me in advance, please?

Polite Form:

Japanese Sentence	前まえもってメールしていただけますか。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte mēru shite itadakemasu ka.

More Polite:

Japanese Sentence	前もってメールしていただけますでしょうか。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte mēru shite itadakemasu deshō ka.

We need to apply for a paid leave/holiday to my section manager in advance.

In the English meaning, “apply” is a verb. However, in these Japanese sentences,「申請しんせい」is a noun and means “application” or “request.”

Plain Form:

Japanese Sentence	前まえもって課長かちょうに有給ゆうきゅうの申請しんせいが必要ひつようだ。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte kachō ni yūkyū no shinsei ga hitsuyōda.

Polite Form:

Japanese Sentence	前もって課長に有給の申請が必要です。
Romaji Reading	Maemotte kachō ni yūkyū no shinsei ga hitsuyōdesu.