1) 以前いぜん #854 Link copied! Common いぜん [1] Meaning Shirabe ① Noun (suffix) before; prior to; ago 最善さいぜんを尽つくしますが、よくいっても木曜もくよう以前いぜんに終おえる事ことは出来できません。 I'll do my best, but I'll not be able to finish it before Thursday at best. ② Noun Adverb the past; before; previously; former times 以前いぜんはこの丘おかの上うえに城しろがあった。 There used to be a castle on this hill. Kanji 以 イ by means of, because, in view of 前 ゼン in front, before Forms 以前#854以前いぜんいぜんいぜん已前(rarely used kanji form)已前いぜん