彼は一年前に死んだ。

he; him; his; boyfriend

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

one; best; first; foremost; beginning; start; bottom string (on a shamisen, etc.)

year; many years; age; past one's prime; old age

ago; before (some event); previously; (minutes) to (the hour); in front (of); before (e.g. the house); head (of a line); front (e.g. of a bus); fore part; in the presence of; helping; portion; privates; private parts

at (place, time); in; on; during; to (direction, state); toward; into; for (purpose); because of (reason); for; with; by; from; as (i.e. in the role of); per; in; for; a (e.g. "once a month"); and; in addition to; if; although

to die; to pass away; to lose spirit; to lose vigor; to look dead; to cease; to stop