'avant' and 'devant'

[Anthony Reddall]

what do these mean? could you give an example of when they would be used?

[stu harris]

avant means before,  usually in time.

devant means in front of, usually in place.

 

Veuillez payer avant la fin du mois = Please pay before the end of the month

Il y a une station Vélib juste devant l'hotel = There's a Vélib station right in front of the hotel

 

Some metaphorical usages of devant need to be translated as before.

Tous sont égaux devant la loi = All are equal before the law