前

• Pinyin: qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 前 = 止 (stop/foot, top) + 刂 (knife, right side), originally depicting forward motion

Meaning

Front; before; ago. Indicates a position in front or a time in the past.

Used both for spatial positioning (in front of) and temporal reference (before, ago). Very common in compounds such as 前边 (in front), 以前 (before/previously), and 前天 (the day before yesterday). Often paired with 后 (behind/after) as opposites.

Examples

1. 学校在前面。 The school is up ahead.
2. 请往前走。 Please walk forward.
3. 前面有一个银行。 There is a bank up ahead.

Usage Guide

Context: location, time

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 往前走一百米。(Walk forward a hundred metres.)
• 他坐在我前面。(He sits in front of me.)

Don't Say

• 在桌子的前。(Incomplete — say 在桌子前面 or 在桌子前边, adding 面 or 边 after 前)

Origin & History

An ancient character originally combining 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat), suggesting forward movement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal