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Activities: 前に (mae ni) and 後で (ato de)

By: Akiko Kashiwagi-Wood

Activity 1: Choose the best option

Choose the appropriate option in parentheses.

  1. 大学を      前に留学したいと思う。
    Daigaku o __ mae ni ryūgaku shitai to omou.
    I want to study abroad before I graduate from university.
    Select your answer
  2. 歯を      前に、顔を洗った。
    Ha o __ mae ni, kao o aratta.
    I washed (my) face before brushing my teeth.
    Select your answer
  3.       新しい車を買った。
    __ atarashii kuruma o katta.
    I bought a new car four months ago.
    Select your answer
  4. 明日行けるかどうかは親と      連絡します。
    Ashita ikeru ka dō ka wa oya to __ renraku shimasu.
    I will let you know whether I can go tomorrow or not after consulting with my parents.
    Select your answer
  5.       、一生懸命勉強した。
    __, isshōkenmei benkyō shita.
    I studied hard before the test.
    Select your answer
  6. 悪いんだけど、その本を      後で図書館に返しておいてくれる?
    Warui n da kedo, sono hon o __ ato de toshokan ni kaeshite oite kureru?
    I'm sorry, but will you return the book to the library after reading it?
    Select your answer
  7. 雨が降る      洗濯物を取り入れておく。
    Ame ga furu __ sentakumono o tori irete oku.
    I will bring in the laundry before it rains.
    Select your answer
  8. 試合で負けた       、悔しくて毎日朝から晩まで練習した。
    Shiai de maketa __, kuyashikute mainichi asa kara ban made renshū shita.
    After losing the match, I was frustrated and practiced every day from morning till night.
    Select your answer
  9. 午後1時に      出かけましょう!
    Gogo ichi ji ni __ dekakemashō!
    Let’s leave after 1 PM!
    Select your answer

Activity 2: Complete the diary

Lisa is studying Japanese and tries to write a diary in Japanese for practice. Help her complete her diary. For assistance with the vocabulary, use the list of words and pictures below.
  • X月Y日 (水曜日)

    今朝はいつもより30分ぐらい早く起きた。なぜなら、両親の代わりに犬の散歩に行かなくちゃいけなかったからだ。

    Kesa wa itsumo yori sanjuppun gurai hayaku okita. Naze nara, ryōshin no kawari ni inu no sanpo ni ikanakucha ikenakatta kara da.

    • I got up about 30 minutes earlier than usual this morning. It was because I had to walk the dog for my parents.

    まず、朝ごはんを食べて、歯を磨いた。(1)

    Mazu, asagohan o tabete, ha o migaita. (1) ___.

    First, I ate breakfast and brushed my teeth. (1) After brushing my teeth, I went for a walk with my dog.

    犬の散歩をしてから学校へ行った。読みたい本があったから、 (2)

    Inu no sanpo o shite kara gakkō e itta. Yomitai hon ga atta kara, (2) ___.

    After walking the dog, I went to school. There was a book I wanted to read, so (2) I borrowed it from the library before class.

    授業は午後3時に終わった。(3)

    Jugyō wa gogo sanji ni owatta. (3) ___.

    The class ended at 3:00 pm. (3) After class, I went to my part-time job at a bakery.

    アルバイトが終わってから、家に帰った。今日は宿題がなかったから、(4)

    Arubaito ga owatte kara, ie ni kaetta. Kyō wa shukudai ga nakatta kara, (4) ___.

    After finishing my part-time work, I went home. I didn't have any homework today, so (4) I listened to music before going to bed.

  1. In the morning...

    A woman brushing her teeth in front of a yellow background.

    ⇒⇒⇒

    A woman walking two little dogs on a bright autumn day.

    歯を磨く
    Transcription: ha o migaku
    Translation: to brush teeth
    後で
    Transcription: ato de
    散歩をする
    Transcription: sanpo o suru
    Translation: to go for a walk
    Transcription: inu
    Translation: dog
  2. In the afternoon...

    A woman picking out books at the library.

    ⇐⇐⇐

    A teacher in a classroom, in front of her young students. One of the students has her hand raised.

    借りる
    Transcription: kariru
    Translation: to borrow
    図書館
    Transcription: toshokan
    Translation: library
    Transcription: hon
    Translation: book
    前に
    Transcription: mae ni
    授業
    Transcription: jugyō
    Translation: class
  3. Later in the afternoon...

    A teacher in a classroom, in front of her young students. One of the students has her hand raised.

    ⇒⇒⇒

    A bakery employee behind the counter. There are all sorts of delicious-looking pastries in front of her.

    授業
    Transcription: jugyō
    Translation: class
    後で
    Transcription: ato de
    アルバイトに行く
    Transcription: arubaito ni iku
    Translation: to go to part-time job
    パン屋
    Transcription: pan’ya
    Translation: bakery
  4. At night...

    A woman relaxing in pink headphones.

    ⇐⇐⇐

    A woman sleeping on a blue pillow.

    聴く
    Transcription: kiku
    Translation: to listen
    音楽
    Transcription: ongaku
    Translation: music
    前に
    Transcription: mae ni
    Transcription: inu
    Translation: dog