从
前

About

The word "从前" is formed by combining the character "从", which denotes "from" or "since", with "前", meaning "before" or "front"; this literal combination of "from before" yields the meaning of "formerly" or "in the past" by specifying a temporal origin that is earlier.

Example Sentences Hide

从前有一个美丽的花园。

Cóngqián yǒu yīgè měilì de huāyuán.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful garden.

从前，我住在北京。

Cóngqián, wǒ zhù zài Běijīng.

In the past, I lived in Beijing.

从前的事情我都不记得了。

Cóngqián de shìqíng wǒ dōu bù jìde le.

I don't remember anything from the past.

从前，这里是一片广阔的田野。

Cóngqián, zhèlǐ shì yīpiàn guǎngkuò de tiányě.

In the past, this was a vast field.

从前的人们生活条件比现在艰苦得多。

Cóngqián de rénmen shēnghuó tiáojiàn bǐ xiànzài jiānkǔ de duō.

People in the past lived in much harder conditions than now.

Word Definition - 从前

cóng qián previously; formerly; once upon a time

Individual Character Details

从 cóng, cóng, cóng
前 qián