перед vs до
pered vs do — before/in front of vs before/until
Register: neutral
What it really means
Перед means in front of spatially and before in time; it takes instrumental. До means before/until a point and takes genitive: до работы, до вечера. Перед is more immediate or relational; до gives a boundary.
Examples in natural speech
Перед домом стоит машина.
A car is in front of the house.
Перед уроком я читаю.
I read before class.
До дома пять минут.
It is five minutes to the house.
Работаем до вечера.
We work until evening.
До встречи!
See you!
Common mistakes
Do not use до with instrumental: до урока. Перед requires instrumental: перед уроком.
Memory tip
Перед is before/in front of; до reaches a deadline or limit.
Frequently asked questions
Case after перед?
Instrumental.
How say until evening?
До вечера.
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