Learn Hardcore Japanese: keiyaku no mae ni, mado ya eakon no zyoutai wo itiou kakuninsite okimasu. - Before signing the contract, I’ll check the condition of the windows and air conditioner just in case.

契約けいやく　の　前まえ　に、　窓まど　や　エアコン　の　状態じょうたい　を　一応いちおう　確認かくにんして　おきます。keiyaku no mae ni, mado ya eakon no joutai o ichiou kakuninshite okimasu.

Before signing the contract, I’ll check the condition of the windows and air conditioner just in case.

Breakdown of keiyaku no mae ni, mado ya eakon no joutai o ichiou kakuninshite okimasu.

をo

direct object particle

のno

possessive case particle

Questions & Answers about keiyaku no mae ni, mado ya eakon no joutai o ichiou kakuninshite okimasu.

Why is 契約の前に used here? What does 前に mean?

前に means before.

So:

契約 = contract / signing the contract
契約の前に = before the contract
契約の前に、... = Before signing the contract, ...

The の connects the noun 契約 with 前:

X の前 = the front/before of X
In time expressions, this becomes before X

The particle に marks the time point before which the action happens.

So 契約の前に literally means something like at the time before the contract.

Why is there a comma after 前に?

The comma just separates the introductory time phrase from the main action:

契約の前に、 = Before the contract,
窓やエアコンの状態を一応確認しておきます。 = I’ll check the condition of the windows and air conditioner just in case / beforehand.

Japanese commas are often used more flexibly than English commas. This comma helps readability, but the sentence could still be understood without it.

What does 窓やエアコン mean? Why use や instead of と?