Before your time Meaning in English

expression

US

ˌbiˈfɔɹ/, /bɪˈfɔɹ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈtaɪm

bi-FOR your TIME

UK

bɪfˈɔː/ /jˈɔː/ /tˈaɪm

bi-FOR your TIME

Definition

This expression means something happened or existed earlier than the age or experience of the person you are talking to—before they were born or old enough to remember.

Usage & Nuances

Usually said to younger people when mentioning past events or trends. Often somewhat playful or nostalgic. Can be mildly patronizing if overused. Avoid using literally—it's about experience, not just birthdate.

• Spanish: antes de tu época
• Portuguese (BR): antes do seu tempo
• Portuguese (PT): antes do teu tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 在你之前（出生/记事之前）
• Chinese (Traditional): 在你之前（出生/記憶之前）
• Hindi: तुम्हारे समय से पहले
• Arabic: قبل وقتك
• Bengali: তোমার সময়ের আগেই - তোমার জন্মের আগেই
• Russian: до твоего времени - до твоего появления
• Japanese: あなたが生まれる前 - あなたの時代より前
• Vietnamese: trước thời của bạn - trước khi bạn ra đời
• Korean: 네가 태어나기 전 - 네 세대 이전
• Turkish: senin zamanından önce - sen doğmadan önce
• Urdu: تمہارے دور سے پہلے - تمہاری پیدائش سے پہلے
• Indonesian: sebelum waktumu - sebelum kamu lahir

Example Sentences

This TV show was popular before your time.

basic

People used pay phones before your time.

basic

That store closed before your time.

basic

"You don’t know that band? Oh, they were huge before your time."

natural

Trust me, the neighborhood was completely different before your time.

natural

Movie tickets were only a dollar before your time!

natural