The Meaning of maemotte [前もって] In Japanese

前もって
まえもって
Romaji: maemotte N5

What does 前もって mean?

Translation and Meaning

in advance, beforehand

Definition

What does 前もって mean? It means doing something in advance, prior to a specific time or event, often to ensure readiness or to inform others. It describes an intentional lead time or pre-arrangement rather than an action taken spontaneously.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • in advance or beforehand as an adverb modifying the main verb
  • used to express prior notice or preparation in formal or business contexts
  • conveys proactive planning or scheduling before an event or decision

Etymology

前 + もって (the te-form of 持つ). The phrase developed from the literal sense of ‘holding in front’ to a figurative sense of preparatory action, with phonetic simplification leading to maemotte.

Origin

Attested in classical Japanese and continued into early modern usage; its sense of anticipatory action appears in formal and administrative language, with stable meaning in contemporary Japanese.

Composition

  • 前: before, in front
  • もって: te-form of 持つ, indicating ‘having’ or ‘holding’ in preparation

Usage

Used before verbs to indicate that an action is done ahead of time; appropriate in formal, corporate, and official communication. For example, 会議の前に前もって通知します。イベントの準備は前もって済ませておくべきです。
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: mae means ‘before’ and motte means ‘holding’ something in front—remembering the phrase as ‘holding ahead’ helps recall that it means doing something in advance.

Variations

  • あらかじめ — arakajime
  • 事前に — jizen ni
  • 予め — arakajime
  • 先に — saki ni

Example Phrases

  • 前もって 予約 して おく と 安心 だ。
    maemotte yoyaku shite oku to anshin da
    If you reserve in advance, you will have peace of mind.
    Lista:
    • 前もって (maemotte) – in advance
    • 予約 (yoyaku) – reservation
    • して (shite) – do
    • おく (oku) – to do in advance
    • と (to) – if
    • 安心 (anshin) – peace of mind
    • だ (da) – is
    「前もって」 means ‘in advance’; in this sentence it modifies 予約しておく, indicating the action is done beforehand.
前もって