之
前

About

The word "之前" is formed by combining the character "之", a grammatical particle that indicates modification or possession, with "前", which means "front" or "before". This combination creates a compound where "之" modifies "前" to express the relational meaning of "before" or "prior to" in terms of time or position.

Example Sentences Hide

我们在天黑之前回家。

Wǒmen zài tiānhēi zhīqián huí jiā.

We will go home before it gets dark.

出门之前请检查钥匙。

Chūmén zhīqián qǐng jiǎnchá yàoshi.

Please check your keys before going out.

几天之前这里还很安静。

Jǐ tiān zhīqián zhèlǐ hái hěn ānjìng.

A few days ago, this place was still very quiet.

在你做出决定之前，请仔细考虑。

Zài nǐ zuò chū juédìng zhīqián, qǐng zǐxì kǎolǜ.

Before you make a decision, please consider carefully.

在此之前，人类从未抵达过如此深度。

Zài cǐ zhīqián, rénlèi cóngwèi dǐdá guo rúcǐ shēndù.

Before this, mankind had never reached such a depth.

Word Definition - 之前

zhī qián before; prior to; ago; previously; beforehand

Individual Character Details

之 zhī
前 qián