前年

• Pinyin: qián nián
• Hanzi breakdown: 前 (qián) — before, in front; 年 (nián) — year

Meaning

The year before last; two years ago. A time noun referring to the year preceding last year.

Part of the standard time sequence: 前年 → 去年 → 今年 → 明年 → 后年 (year before last → last year → this year → next year → year after next). Used to reference events that happened two years prior. Very common in storytelling and conversation about the past.

Examples

1. 我前年开始学中文。 I started learning Chinese the year before last.
2. 他前年去了日本旅游。 He went travelling in Japan the year before last.
3. 前年的冬天特别冷。 The winter of the year before last was especially cold.

Usage Guide

Context: time expressions, storytelling, conversation

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我前年搬到这里的。(I moved here the year before last.)
• 前年我们一起去了海边。(We went to the beach together the year before last.)

Don't Say

• 不要把前年和去年混淆 (前年 is TWO years ago, not last year — last year is 去年; mixing them up is a common mistake for learners)

Origin & History

前 (qián, before/front) + 年 (nián, year). Literally 'the year before' — meaning two years in the past relative to the current year.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal