• 前まえ — front / before
• 名前なまえ — name
• 午前ごぜん — morning / a.m.
• 駅前えきまえ — in front of the station
• 以前いぜん — previously / before
• 前半ぜんはん — first half

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The kanji 前 originally combines the idea of “in front” with “cutting / preparing,” which is why you see the knife radical 刂. Today it’s used constantly for both space and time: something in front of you (前), and something earlier (前日・前回・午前).