前来

• Pinyin: qián lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 前 = forward, front; 来 = 來 (original form) — to come

Meaning

To come; to come here. A formal way to describe someone arriving or visiting.

A formal, slightly literary verb meaning to come to a place. Often used in official announcements, invitations, and news reports. More formal than simply saying 来. Implies purposeful arrival rather than casual visiting.

Examples

1. 欢迎各位嘉宾前来参加本次活动。 Welcome all guests to attend this event.
2. 警方已经前来调查此事。 The police have already come to investigate the matter.
3. 明天会有专家前来为大家做讲座。 Tomorrow an expert will come to give a lecture for everyone.

Usage Guide

Context: official, announcements, reports

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 感谢您前来参观。(Thank you for coming to visit.)
• 记者前来采访。(Reporters came to interview.)

Don't Say

• 不要在日常随意对话中用'前来' (Don't use 前来 in casual everyday conversation — just say 来; 前来 sounds too formal)

Origin & History

Compound of 前 (forward) and 来 (come). The addition of 前 adds formality and directional emphasis to the act of coming.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal