从前

• Pinyin: cóng qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 从 = simplified from 從, meaning from; 前 = 止 (stop) + 刂 (knife), meaning before or front

Meaning

In the past; once upon a time; formerly. Refers to a time in the past, often used to begin stories.

Commonly used at the beginning of stories and fairy tales, similar to 'once upon a time.' Also used in everyday speech to refer to past experiences or former times. Often appears in the pattern 从前...现在... to contrast past and present.

Examples

1. 从前有一个小女孩住在山里。 Once upon a time, a little girl lived in the mountains.
2. 这个地方和从前比变化很大。 This place has changed a lot compared to the past.
3. 从前我不喜欢运动，但现在每天都跑步。 I used to not like exercising, but now I run every day.

Usage Guide

Context: storytelling, reminiscing, everyday

Tone: nostalgic

Do Say

• 从前这里是一片农田。(In the past, this was all farmland.)
• 从前的生活和现在很不一样。(Life in the past was very different from now.)

Don't Say

• 从前五分钟他来了 (Don't use 从前 for recent moments — use 之前 or 刚才; 从前 refers to a distant or indefinite past, not minutes ago)

Origin & History

Compound of 从 (from) and 前 (before, front), literally 'from before,' pointing to an earlier time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal