提前

• Pinyin: tí qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 提 = 扌 (hand) + 是 (is, phonetic), meaning to lift; 前 = 止 (foot) + 刂 (knife), meaning forward

Meaning

In advance; ahead of schedule; to bring forward. Indicates doing something earlier than planned or expected.

Used both as a verb (提前出发, to depart early) and as an adverb (提前通知, notify in advance). Very common in daily scheduling, work, and travel. The opposite is 推迟 (to postpone).

Examples

1. 会议提前到下午两点了。 The meeting has been moved up to 2pm.
2. 请大家提前十分钟到教室。 Please arrive at the classroom ten minutes early.
3. 他提前完成了这个项目。 He completed this project ahead of schedule.

Usage Guide

Context: scheduling, work, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请提前告诉我你什么时候来。(Please let me know in advance when you are coming.)
• 飞机提前半小时到达了。(The plane arrived half an hour early.)

Don't Say

• 我提前了这本书。(Don't use 提前 with a concrete object — it is used with time or events, not physical things. Say 提前还了这本书 to mean 'returned this book early'.)

Origin & History

提 (to lift/raise) + 前 (front/before). Literally 'to bring forward', meaning to move something to an earlier time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal