قبيل

In a sentence

• وصلنا قبيل المساء.

  We arrived just before the evening.

  Here, 'قبيل' is used to denote a time shortly before 'the evening'.

• سمعت قبيل حديثه أمراً مثيراً للاهتمام.

  I heard something interesting just before his talk.

  In this sentence, 'قبيل' is used to signify moments before 'his talk'.

• قمت بجمع الأوراق قبيل المطر الذي بدأ فجأة.

  I collected the papers just before the rain that started suddenly.

  The word 'قبيل' indicates an action happening shortly before 'the rain'.