Learner's definition of BEFORE
1
: at an earlier time以前;过去 -
Haven't we met before?我们以前没见过吗?
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the night/day before前一晚/天
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I've never seen her so happy before. [=I've never seen her as happy as she is now]我之前从未见过她如此高兴。
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We haven't had these problems before.我们以前从未碰到过这些问题。
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Everything is just as (it was) before.一切如故。
2
formal + old-fashioned : to or toward the place where someone is going : in advance向前;在前边 2 before /bɪˈfoɚ/ preposition
2 before
/bɪˈfoɚ/
preposition
Learner's definition of BEFORE
1
a : at a time preceding (something or someone) : earlier than (something or someone)(时间)在…之前,早于 -
We arrived shortly before six o'clock.我们快到六点时到达的。
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before dinner晚饭前
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He left just before sunrise.他刚好在天亮之前离开了。
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I've never seen her so happy before now.我之前从未见过她如此高兴。
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Call me before your arrival.你快到时给我打电话吧。
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She arrived the day before yesterday.她是前天到的。
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Why haven't you ever helped me before now/this?你在此之前怎么从来没有帮助过我呢?
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I finished the exam before him. [=before he finished the exam]我比他先考完试。
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You can go before me. [=before I go]你可以比我早走。
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He's an electrician, like his father before him. [=his father was also an electrician]他是电工,他父亲以前也是电工。
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They earned 50,000 dollars before (paying) taxes.他们的税前收入是5万美元。
b US —
used to describe a time earlier than a specified hour在(某个钟点)之前 2
: preceding (something or someone) in order or in a series(次序)在…之前,先于 -
Your name is listed before mine.你的名字排在我之前。
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You'll see my house just before the bank and after the school.你会看到我家就在银行前面,学校后面。
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The number 2 comes before 3 and after 1. [=2 comes between 1 and 3]数字2在3和1之间。
3
a : in front of (someone or something)(位置)在…前面,在…面前 : in the presence of (someone)当着(某人)的面 — see also (right) before/in front of your (very) eyes at 1eye b : being considered by (someone or something)由…考虑中 -
The case before the court involves a robbery.法庭正在审理的是一宗抢劫案。
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the candidates before the voters选民可选的候选人
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I have a proposal to put before [=to] the board.我有个提案供董事会考虑。
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The question before us is this: did he fall or was he pushed?我们要弄清的问题是:他是自己摔倒的,还是被人推倒的?
c : in the future for (someone) : ahead of (someone)等待着…;面临着… 4
a : in a higher or more important position than (something)(重要性)优于,在…之前 b : rather or sooner than(宁可…而)不愿… 5
formal : under the force of (something)在…影响下;在…威慑下 3 before /bɪˈfoɚ/ conjunction
3 before
/bɪˈfoɚ/
conjunction
Learner's definition of BEFORE
1
a : earlier than the time that : earlier than when(时间)在…之前,早于 -
He left long before morning came.他早在黎明之前就离开了。
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The judge stood up before the defendant did. [=the defendant stood up after the judge did]法官先于被告站了起来。
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Say goodbye before you go.你临走之前告个别吧。
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Call me before you arrive.你抵达前给我打个电话吧。
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Before [=until] she met him she had never been so happy.在遇见他以前,她从未如此快乐过。
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I finished the exam before he did.我比他先考完试。
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It was/happened not long before he arrived.此事发生在他到达前不久。
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He left before I could thank him. [=I wasn't able to thank him because he left too soon]我还没来得及谢他,他就走了。
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I'll resign before I give in! [=I would rather resign than give in]我宁可辞职也不愿屈从。
— see also before you know it at 1know b : until the time that到…之前;到…为止 2
a —
used to refer to something that might happen以免;不然 -
Get out of there before you get dirty! [=get out of there because you will/might get dirty if you don't]离开那里,以免弄一身脏!
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Before I forget, will you give me your telephone number? [=I'm asking for your telephone number now because I might forget to do it later]趁我还记得,把你的电话号码给我可以吗?
b —
used to say that one thing must happen for another thing to happen or be possible(先…)才…