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〜を前に(して)

ahead of, facing, with … looming

Noun + を前に(して) / を控えて

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を前に means an event or presence is right in front of you, in time or in space: 試験を前に、緊張している, "I'm nervous with the exam coming up".

In time, it's an important upcoming event: exams, graduation, a final, an election. In space, it's something impressive in front of you: a big audience, a beautiful view, a mountain of work.

It's more vivid and formal than の前に (N5), which is just a plain "before". を前に implies facing the thing and feeling something about it: nerves, awe, resolve. を控えて is close in the time sense and means "with … coming up".

Examples

  • 試験しけんを前まえに、緊張きんちょうしている。

    I'm nervous with the exam coming up.

  • 大勢おおぜいの観客かんきゃくを前まえにして、足あしが震ふるえた。

    Facing a huge audience, my legs shook.

  • 卒業そつぎょうを前まえに、先生せんせいにお礼れいの手紙てがみを書かいた。

    With graduation approaching, I wrote my teacher a thank-you letter.

  • 決勝戦けっしょうせんを前まえに、選手せんしゅたちは気合十分きあいじゅうぶんだ。

    With the final coming up, the players are fired up.

  • 美うつくしい景色けしきを前まえにして、言葉ことばを失うしなった。

    Faced with the beautiful view, I was lost for words.

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