前

qián

䒑 + 刖

HSK 3.0Level 1

Definitions

qián (noun) front; ahead

qián (adverb) before; ago; previous

qián (adjective) forward

qián (noun) future

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 歬 represents the sound, and 刂 represents the meaning. Based on the original meaning "cut", now written as 剪. The current meaning "in front" is a phonetic loan.

About

前 is a phonosemantic compound: the left side originally combined a foot (止) and a boat (舟) to form 歬, providing the sound, while the right side 刂 (knife) indicated the original meaning "cut" (now written 剪). In modern script, the left part resembles horns (䒑) over 月. The character was borrowed for "front", covering both spatial anteriority and temporal priority, completely separate from its cutting origin.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请到前面来。

Qǐng dào qiánmiàn lái.

Please come to the front.

他站在门前。

Tā zhàn zài mén qián.

He is standing in front of the door.

我以前住在上海。

Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Shànghǎi.

I used to live in Shanghai.

考试前要好好休息。

Kǎoshì qián yào hǎohǎo xiūxi.

You should rest well before the exam.

前进的速度很快。

Qiánjìn de sùdù hěn kuài.

The speed of advancement is very fast.

在出发前，请检查车辆。

Zài chūfā qián, qǐng jiǎnchá chēliàng.

Before departure, please check the vehicle.

科学家关注前沿科学。

Kēxuéjiā guānzhù qiányán kēxué.

Scientists focus on cutting-edge science.

在做出重要决定前，必须谨慎思考。

Zài zuò chū zhòngyào juédìng qián, bìxū jǐnshèn sīkǎo.

Before making an important decision, one must think carefully.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 䒑

Component: 刖

Example Words