When do I use 'antes,' 'antes de,' and 'antes de que'?

Use 'antes' alone as an adverb (Llegué antes). Use 'antes de' before a noun or infinitive (antes de comer). Use 'antes de que' before a clause with a conjugated verb, which must be in the subjunctive (antes de que llueva).

Does 'antes de que' always need the subjunctive?

Yes, without exception. Because 'antes de que' introduces an action that has not taken place yet, the subjunctive is mandatory in standard Spanish grammar.

Can 'antes' mean 'rather' or 'instead'?

Yes, in some contexts 'antes' can carry the sense of 'rather' or 'sooner,' as in 'Antes morir que rendirse' (Rather die than surrender). This usage is more literary.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Before in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Antes · adverb / preposition / conjunction · AHN-tehs

The Spanish translation of 'before' is 'antes.' When placed before a noun or infinitive, it becomes 'antes de.' When introducing a clause with a conjugated verb, it requires 'antes de que' followed by the subjunctive mood.

AHN-tehs

Llámame antes de salir de casa.

Call me before leaving the house.

Before in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for before, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
antes	before	AHN-tehs	Default, widely understood
antes de	before		Universal (before + noun/infinitive)
antes de que	before		Universal (before + subjunctive clause)

How Native Speakers Use Antes

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Used as a standalone adverb

Yo llegué antes.

I arrived before (earlier).

Standing alone, 'antes' functions as an adverb meaning 'earlier' or 'beforehand.'

Before a noun

Antes de la cena, damos un paseo.

Before dinner, we take a walk.

'Antes de' is followed directly by a noun.

Before an infinitive

Lávate las manos antes de comer.

Wash your hands before eating.

When a verb follows 'antes de,' it stays in the infinitive form.

Before a subjunctive clause

Termina la tarea antes de que llegue tu padre.

Finish the homework before your father arrives.

'Antes de que' always triggers the subjunctive because the action has not yet occurred.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Antes

Omitting 'de' before a noun

Incorrect: Antes la reunión, preparé las notas.

Correct: Antes de la reunión, preparé las notas.

When 'antes' precedes a noun or infinitive, the preposition 'de' is required.

Using indicative after 'antes de que'

Incorrect: Sal antes de que llueve.

Correct: Sal antes de que llueva.

'Antes de que' always requires the subjunctive mood because it refers to an event that has not yet happened.

Lock in Before Vocabulary with the Parrot Method

Why word lists alone don't stick

Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.

See Antes used by native speakers

Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using antes in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Llámame antes de salir de casa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.

Save, review, repeat, stay consistent

Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.

Common Questions About Before in Spanish

When do I use 'antes,' 'antes de,' and 'antes de que'?: Use 'antes' alone as an adverb (Llegué antes). Use 'antes de' before a noun or infinitive (antes de comer). Use 'antes de que' before a clause with a conjugated verb, which must be in the subjunctive (antes de que llueva).
Does 'antes de que' always need the subjunctive?: Yes, without exception. Because 'antes de que' introduces an action that has not taken place yet, the subjunctive is mandatory in standard Spanish grammar.
Can 'antes' mean 'rather' or 'instead'?: Yes, in some contexts 'antes' can carry the sense of 'rather' or 'sooner,' as in 'Antes morir que rendirse' (Rather die than surrender). This usage is more literary.