Pictograph of a pestle used for pounding rice, now written as 杵. The current meaning "noon" is a phonetic loan.
前(qián) · 9 strokes
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.
Example sentences
午前８時です。 — It’s 8:00 am.
日本は今午前3時です。 — In Japan, it's now 3:00 a.m.
午前中に電話しますね。 — I'll give you a call in the morning.
午前中にテストがあるの。 — I have an exam in the morning.
午前中は、ずっと本読んでたよ。 — I spent all morning reading books.