Vietnamese 'trước khi' Usage (Before)
'trước khi' is commonly used to express 'before', a structure English speakers should prioritize learning.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'trước khi' is commonly used to express 'before', a structure English speakers should prioritize learning.
English meanings
- before
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Rửa tay trước khi ăn.
Wash your hands before eating.
2
Tôi gọi điện trước khi đến.
I call before coming.
How to use it
'trước khi' means 'before' and is followed by an action or event clause, indicating the time point before which another action occurs.
- 'trước khi' is followed by a verb or full clause.
- It can appear before or after the main clause.
- For noun time points, 'trước' + noun is often used without 'khi'.
Compared with English
Compared with English
English often says 'before eating'; Vietnamese uses 'trước khi ăn', where 'khi' turns the following action into a time clause.
Common mistakes
Rửa tay trước ăn.
Rửa tay trước khi ăn.
When followed by an action like 'ăn', use 'trước khi', not just 'trước'.
Trước khi tôi đến gọi điện.
Tôi gọi điện trước khi đến.
Separate main and time clauses clearly; the focus is on 'calling first'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What does 'trước khi' express?
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Multiple choice
What does 'trước khi' express?
- before an action
- after an action
- two actions simultaneously
Answer: before an action
Explanation: 'trước khi' introduces a time reference before the main action.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Rửa tay ____ ăn.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Rửa tay ____ ăn.
Answer: Rửa tay trước khi ăn.
Explanation: 'trước khi' is followed by a verb or full clause.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Wash your hands before eating." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Wash your hands before eating." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Rửa tay trước khi ăn.
Explanation: Use trước khi in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is 'Rửa tay trước ăn.' correct?
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True or false
Is 'Rửa tay trước ăn.' correct?
Answer: False
Explanation: When followed by an action like 'ăn', use 'trước khi', not just 'trước'.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi uống cà phê trước làm việc.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Tôi uống cà phê trước làm việc.
Answer: Tôi uống cà phê trước khi làm việc.
Explanation: Use 'trước khi' before an action like 'làm việc'.