Definition

1. Prepositional Phrase / Adverb: - In front of, before (someone/something): Indicates a position directly ahead of a person, object, or location. It describes physical location. - In the presence of, before (someone): Indicates being in the direct view or company of someone, often implying observation or judgment.

Usage Examples

• Indicating Physical Location:

  • Có một công viên trước mặt khách sạn. (There is a park in front of the hotel.)
  • Cô ấy đứng trước mặt tôi. (She stood in front of me.)

• Indicating Presence or Observation:

  • Anh ta nói dối trước mặt mọi người. (He lied in front of everyone. / He lied in the presence of everyone.)
  • Không nên làm thế trước mặt trẻ em. (You shouldn't do that in front of children.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ngay trước mặt": Right in front of, directly before.

  • Chìa khóa nằm ngay trước mặt bạn. (The key is right in front of you.)

• Used to emphasize immediacy or obviousness in a situation.

  • Sự thật ở ngay trước mặt chúng ta. (The truth is right before our eyes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đối diện (Preposition): Opposite, facing. (e.g., - The restaurant is opposite the cinema.)
• Phía trước (Noun Phrase): The front, the area ahead. (e.g., - The area in front of the building is very spacious.)

Synonyms

• Trước (Preposition): Before, in front of (more general, can refer to time or order).
• Đằng trước (Adverb/Noun Phrase): In the front, ahead (often for location).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Trước mặt sau lưng: (To act one way) to someone's face and another behind their back; two-faced behavior.

  • Đừng nói xấu người khác trước mặt sau lưng. (Don't speak ill of others, whether to their face or behind their back.)

• Mặt đối mặt / Đối mặt: Face to face; to confront.

  • Họ đã gặp nhau mặt đối mặt. (They met face to face.)

adj

1. in front of