This is the 236th most frequent Korean word.
전에
"Before" or "ago."
전에 is used to indicate the temporal sequence, meaning 'before' in this sentence.
나는 식사 전에 손을 씻었다.
I washed my hands before the meal.
전에 specifies a timeframe prior to the referenced event, serving as 'prior to'.
그 일이 있기 전에 나는 행복했다.
Before that event, I was happy.
전에 in this context refers to a previous occurrence of an action, synonymous with 'previously' or 'at an earlier time'.