年前

• Pinyin: nián qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 年 = grain cycle, year; 前 = 止 (foot) + 刀 (knife) + 舟 (boat), in front/before

Meaning

Years ago; before the New Year. Can refer to a time period in the past or the period before Chinese New Year.

Has two distinct meanings: (1) X年前 means X years ago; (2) 年前 alone often refers to the period just before Chinese New Year, when people are busy with preparations, shopping, and travel. Context determines which meaning applies.

Examples

1. 三年前我们在北京第一次见面。 We first met in Beijing three years ago.
2. 年前商场里人特别多，大家都在置办年货。 The malls are especially crowded before New Year; everyone is shopping for New Year goods.
3. 我们打算年前把房子装修好。 We plan to finish renovating the house before New Year.

Usage Guide

Context: time reference, Spring Festival, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 十年前这里还是一片农田。(Ten years ago this was still farmland.)
• 年前太忙了，等年后再说吧。(It's too busy before New Year; let's talk about it after.)

Don't Say

• 一年前前 (Redundant — just say 一年前; don't double up on 前)

Origin & History

年 (nián, year) + 前 (qián, before). Literally 'before the year' or 'years before.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal