前 (qián)

front; forward; ahead; first; top (followed by a number); future; ago;

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.

Shuowen Jiezi

《說文》:“歬,不行而進謂之歬。从止在舟上。”

Original meaning

cut

Components

Example sentences

  1. 前面有危险。 — Danger ahead.
  2. 请向前一步。 — Please step forward.
  3. 在我前面走。 — Walk ahead of me.
  4. 一直向前走! — Keep going straight ahead!
  5. 零在一前面。 — Zero comes before one.

View all 50 example sentences for 前 →