Learn Hardcore Croatian: Prije nego što skreneš lijevo, provjeri broj kuće. - Before you turn left, check the house number.

It’s a compound conjunction meaning “before (the moment when).” In standard Croatian, when a full clause follows, you normally say prije nego što + finite verb. The što is a linking particle; it doesn’t translate by itself.

Can I drop "što" and just say "Prije nego skreneš lijevo..."?

Yes. Both Prije nego skreneš lijevo... and Prije nego što skreneš lijevo... are acceptable. For learners, the version with što is the safest and feels a bit more formal/standard.

Why is "skreneš" in the present if it refers to the future?

In time clauses introduced by prije nego (što), Croatian uses the present tense to refer to future time relative to the main clause. So prije nego (što) skreneš = “before you (will) turn.”

Is "Prije nego što ćeš skrenuti" correct?

Avoid it. Using the future (ćeš skrenuti) in these time clauses is considered non‑standard/awkward. Use the present: Prije nego (što) skreneš.

What form is "provjeri"?

It’s the imperative, 2nd person singular of provjeriti (“to check”). For formal/plural address, use provjerite.

Why "skrenuti" and not "okrenuti"?

skrenuti (lijevo/desno) = turn left/right (change direction while moving).
okrenuti se = turn around (rotate yourself/vehicle). For driving directions, use skrenuti.

Should it be "lijevo," "ulijevo," or "na lijevo"?

skrenuti lijevo is the most common and neutral.
skrenuti ulijevo is also correct, a bit more formal/bookish.
na lijevo is mostly heard in marching commands, not in driving directions.

Can I put the time clause at the end?

Yes. For example: Provjeri broj kuće, prije nego (što) skreneš lijevo. Word order is flexible; moving the clause can shift emphasis.

Do I need the comma?

Yes—separate the subordinate clause from the main clause:

Clause first: Prije nego (što) skreneš lijevo, provjeri broj kuće.
Clause last: Provjeri broj kuće, prije nego (što) skreneš lijevo.

Why "broj kuće" and not "broj kuću"? What case is "kuće"?

You’re checking the “house number,” a noun phrase. Broj is the direct object (accusative; same form as nominative for inanimate masculines), and kuće is genitive singular of kuća, modifying it (“number of the house”). You can also say kućni broj: Provjeri kućni broj.

Can I use an infinitive like English “before turning”?

Not with a bare infinitive. Use either:

a clause: Prije nego (što) skreneš lijevo...
or a noun phrase: Prije skretanja lijevo, provjeri broj kuće. (Here prije governs genitive: skretanja.)

What about aspect? Could I use "provjeravaj" or "skrećeš"?

provjeri (perfective) = do it once, now — ideal for instructions.
provjeravaj (imperfective imperative) = keep checking / do it repeatedly.
In the time clause, prefer perfective present skreneš; skrećeš sounds wrong here.

How do I say this politely to more than one person?

Use the plural/formal forms: Prije nego (što) skrenete lijevo, provjerite broj kuće.

Are there regional variants I might see?

Yes. In Serbian you’ll see pre nego što, levo, proveri: Pre nego što skreneš levo, proveri kućni broj. Croatian standard prefers prije, lijevo, provjeri.

Can I say "prije no što"?

Yes. Prije no što is a more literary variant of the same conjunction. Usage and meaning are the same as prije nego što.

Any quick pronunciation tips?

š (in skreneš/što) = “sh” in “shoe.”
ć (in kuće) = soft “tɕ,” shorter/softer than č.
ije (in lijevo) is two sounds (roughly “lye‑eh‑vo”); don’t reduce it to “le‑vo.”