先前

• Pinyin: xiān qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 先 = 土 (earth) + 儿 (legs), depicting someone walking ahead; 前 = 止 (foot) + 刀 (knife) + 月 (flesh), originally meaning to advance

Meaning

Previously; earlier; before. Refers to a time before the present moment or before a particular event.

A formal way to indicate past time, more literary than 以前 or 之前. Often used in written language or when recounting events with a slightly formal tone. Can function as both an adverb and a noun.

Examples

1. 先前我们讨论过这个问题，但没有达成共识。 We discussed this issue previously, but didn't reach a consensus.
2. 他先前在那家公司工作了十年。 He previously worked at that company for ten years.
3. 先前的计划已经被取消了，我们需要重新安排。 The previous plan has been cancelled, we need to reschedule.

Usage Guide

Context: written, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 先前的经验对我帮助很大。(My previous experience helped me a lot.)
• 这和先前说的不一样。(This is different from what was said before.)

Don't Say

• 先前天我去了北京 (Don't confuse with 前天 meaning the day before yesterday — use 之前 or 以前 with specific time references)

Origin & History

Compound of 先 (first, before) and 前 (front, ahead), both reinforcing the concept of anteriority.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal