qián

front

HSK 1

漢字分解

Usage of (qián)

The character primarily means "in front," "before," or "previously." It is very common in daily conversation and appears in various contexts related to time and space.

Spatial Use

When used to indicate location, means "in front of" or "ahead of." For example, 前面 means "He is standing in front of me." This usage is very common when giving directions or describing positions.

Temporal Use

also functions to express "before" or "previously" in time. For example, 以前那个地方 means "I have been to that place before." Here, 以前 (yǐqián) is a common compound meaning "before" or "previously."

Common Collocations

  • 提前 (tíqián): "in advance" or "ahead of time," used when requesting or indicating something done earlier than scheduled.
  • 以前 (yǐqián): "before" or "previously," used to talk about past experiences or times.
  • 前面 (qiánmiàn): "in front," referring to a physical location ahead.

Notes

  • is often combined with (miàn) to specify "in front of" a place or person.
  • It can be used both as a noun and an adverb depending on context.
  • Avoid confusing with (hòu), which means "behind" or "after."

例文

他站在我前面。

Tā zhàn zài wǒ qiánmiàn.

He is standing in front of me.

我以前去过那个地方。

Wǒ yǐqián qù guo nàge dìfang.

I have been to that place before.

请提前通知我。

Qǐng tíqián tōngzhī wǒ.

Please notify me in advance.