I've been translating NHK EasyNews and met this phrase
２５日は、申し込みが始まる１時間前の午前８時半には、約３０人が並んでいました
Although, I think I do understand the meaning of it
In one hour before 8:30 am, when the reservations started, ...
I don't get the here at all. Should it not be reversed? As in
何々が始まる午前8時半の一時間には
I've always though of it as genitive case in my mother tongue, so I feel pretty confused.
Thank you!
Although, I think I do understand the meaning of it
In one hour before 8:30 am, when the reservations started
No, this sentence means "By 8:30 AM, which is an hour before the registration started, ...".
The actual registration starts at 9:30, which is written at the end of the article.
Here, の is used as the apposition marker.
- 友達の田中さん my friend Tanaka
(compare: 田中さんの友達 a friend of Tanaka)- 日本の首都の東京 Tokyo, the capital of Japan
(The first の is like "of", the second の is for apposition)- 開始時間の21時に At the starting time, (which is) 21:00
As you said, 午前8時半の1時間前 would mean "An hour before 8:30 AM" (ie. 7:30 AM).
