neru mae ni sumaho wo zyuudensimasu.

I charge my smartphone before going to bed.

Breakdown of neru mae ni sumaho wo zyuudensimasu.

• を: direct object particle
• に: time particle
• スマホ: smartphone
• 前まえ: before
• 寝ねる: to sleep
• 充電じゅうでんする: to charge

Questions & Answers about neru mae ni sumaho wo zyuudensimasu.

What does the particle に after 前 do? Is it required?

• 前 is a noun meaning “before (in time)” or “in front (in space).”
• に marks a point in time: “at the time before X,” so 寝る前に = “before sleeping.”
• In the grammar pattern V(dictionary form) + 前に, using に is standard and safest.
• You can drop に only when you use it as a sentence-initial time phrase with a pause: 寝る前、スマホを充電します。 This is stylistic; 寝る前に… is the neutral default.

Why is 寝る in dictionary form instead of the polite form 寝ます?

• When a verb modifies a noun like 前, it must be in plain form: V-辞書形 + 前に.
• The polite ます-form doesn’t modify nouns: 寝ます前に is ungrammatical.
• Examples: 食べる前に手を洗います, not 食べます前に.

What does を in スマホを do here?

• を marks the direct object of the verb.
• 充電する is transitive—you “charge” something—so the thing being charged takes を: スマホを充電します.
• Don’t use に for this meaning; スマホに充電する is incorrect for “charge the phone.”

Can I change the word order?

• Yes. Time phrases can move around. Natural options include:
  • 寝る前にスマホを充電します。
  • スマホを寝る前に充電します。
  • With contrast/topic: スマホは寝る前に充電します。 (as for my phone, I charge it before bed)

Does 充電します mean present or future? Is this habitual?

• Japanese non-past covers present, future, and habitual.
• 充電します can mean “I charge (as a habit),” or “I will charge (later).”
• Past would be 充電しました; progressive is 充電しています.

Is 充電 a noun or a verb?

• 充電 is a noun (“charging”).
• Add する to make the verb: 充電する (“to charge”).
• 充電をする also exists but is heavier; with an object, スマホを充電する is most natural.

How do I say “charge it in advance / for later”?

• Use 〜ておく (do something in preparation):
  • 寝る前にスマホを充電しておきます。
• This highlights doing it now so it’s ready later.

What’s the difference between 前に and 〜てから?

• A 前に B: Do B before A. Focus is on B being earlier than A.
  • 寝る前にスマホを充電します。
• B てから A: Do B, and then A. Emphasizes sequence.
  • スマホを充電してから寝ます。
• In this context, both are fine; 〜てから can sound a bit more step-by-step.

What’s the difference between 前に and までに?

• 前に = “before (at some time earlier than X).”
  • 寝る前に充電します。
• までに = “by (no later than X).” This sets a deadline.
  • 寝るまでに充電します。 (“I’ll get it charged by the time I go to bed.”)

Where is the subject “I”? Do I need 私は?

• Japanese commonly omits obvious subjects and objects.
• Context usually makes it clear that it’s “I.”
• Add 私は for clarity or contrast: 私は寝る前にスマホを充電します。
• If it’s someone else, specify: 妻は…, 兄は…, etc.

Is スマホ casual? Are there other options?

• スマホ is the normal, everyday abbreviation of スマートフォン.
• Alternatives:
  • スマートフォン (full form; more formal/technical),
  • 携帯／ケータイ (cell phone; may or may not imply smartphone).
• For “I charge my phone,” スマホ is perfectly natural.

How do I say “Before I went to bed, I charged my phone”?

• Keep the verb before 前に in dictionary form; put the main verb in past:
  • 寝る前にスマホを充電しました。
• Don’t say 寝た前に. “Before” uses non-past; “after” uses past: 充電した後で寝ました。

Can I omit スマホ if it’s obvious?

• Yes. Ellipsis is very natural:
  • 寝る前に（スマホを）充電します。
• If you really need “it,” それ can be used, but it’s usually unnecessary here.

Does 前 also mean “in front of”? Is that the same 前?

• Yes, same kanji with a spatial use:
  • Time: V-辞書形 + 前に (“before doing …”).
  • Space: N の前（で／に） (“in front of …”), e.g., 駅の前 (“in front of the station”).
• The particle and context tell you which meaning it is.