About
The character 前 combines the knife radical 刂 on the right with elements originally depicting a foot and a boat, though its modern form has a left side resembling horns above 月. Early forms conveyed moving forward by using a tool to clear obstacles. This sense of spatial front naturally extended to denote past time, giving the character dual meaning: both the area ahead and events already occurred.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
请到前面来。
他站在门前。
我以前住在上海。
考试前要好好休息。
前进的速度很快。
在出发前，请检查车辆。
科学家关注前沿科学。
在做出重要决定前，必须谨慎思考。