手早い答え
antes は基準より前、atrás は後ろ、時間量の後では「〜前」です。
確実な見分け方は、英語から訳す前に、その単語の働きを見きわめることです。
それぞれの単語の働き
antes
before or earlier
Use antes for an earlier position in time relative to an event.
atrás
behind or ago
Use atrás for a position at the back, or elapsed time after a quantity.
選び方
- antes: Choose antes if the sentence points to an earlier position in time relative to an event.
- atrás: Choose atrás if the sentence points to a position at the back, or elapsed time after a quantity.
例文
Cheguei antes do almoço.
I arrived before lunch.
Ele saiu dois dias atrás.
He left two days ago.
よくある落とし穴
Dois dias antes needs another reference point. For “two days ago,” say dois dias atrás or há dois dias.
文脈の中で練習する
自分の実生活から文を一つ選び、二回書いてみましょう。一度はantesで、もう一度はatrásで。どちらも成り立ちそうなら、意味の違いを言葉にしてみましょう。