The old form of 前 plants a foot (止) on a boat (舟). A foot on a boat means pushing forward, moving on. A knife (刂) got tacked on later, back when 前 also meant 'to cut'. That's why 前 means the front, the ahead, the before — the spot you reach first.
Bare 前 can't sit before a person like an English bridge word. You need 前面 or 前边 after the noun: 他前面.
For 'last week' Chinese says 上个星期. 前 handles 'before' in time, but 'last' is 上.
以前 is a standalone time word; bare 前 glues onto other words.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Past in general | 我以前学过中文 | 我前学过中文 |
| Counting back | 三天前他来过 | 三天以前他来过 (fine but wordy) |
| Before an action | 饭前洗手 | 以前饭洗手 |
Almost none — 前面 is the safe default, 前边 leans spoken and physical.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Pointing at a spot | 前边/前面有个超市 | 前有个超市 |
| Earlier in a text | 前面说过 | 前边说过 |
| Formal writing | 前面提到的观点 | 前边提到的观点 |
Time-with-前 goes before the verb, never after it.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Past time phrase | 他三天前来了 | 他来了三天前 |
| Past habit | 我以前抽烟 | 我抽烟以前 |
| Location phrase | 房子前面有棵树 | 前面房子有棵树 |
前天 and 前年 exist, but 前月 and 前星期 do not — use 上.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Two days ago | 前天 | 前日 (too literary) |
| Two years ago | 前年 | 前个年 |
| Last month | 上个月 | 前月 |
| Last week | 上个星期 | 前个星期 |
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
老先生天天都坐在七号桌子 前 。
一天晚上，大中去七号桌子 前 。
老先生看看大中，对大中说：“五年 前 ，我儿子也在这家饭店工作。
他天天晚上九点下班，我坐在七号桌子 前 看他。
老先生坐在七号桌子 前 ，喝了第一口热茶。
This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.
前边 有一个卖水果的老先生。
老先生来到高先明 前边 ，给高先明五块钱。
高先明去 前边 ，给安小语五块钱。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
年月日， 前后天 。
前天 同学打电话。
前年 我去上大学。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
朋友跟他开玩笑说：“你 以前 一直待在东山，现在终于愿意出来重新开始了。”
最厉害的是，他在淝水之战中指挥东晋军队，以八万人打败了号称百万的 前秦 军队，保住了自己的国家。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
晚上，大中去公司 前边 的一个小饭店吃饭。
大中到饭店 前 ，看见老先生一个人坐在桌子 前 ，在看外边。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
转盘转到他 面前 ，他伸手把转盘推走了。
他忽然说， 十多年前 他第一次跟大客户吃饭。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
可是，根据 前几年 的有关数据，中国方便面的年人平均消费量是三十五份，远不如日本，甚至还不到韩国的一半。
前面 说过有的方便面是热风干燥，那它的含油量更是几乎可以忽略不计。
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
前天 有个朋友告诉我，要想了解老北京的文化，应该去老茶馆喝一次"大碗儿茶"。
很多老北京 以前 是有去茶馆儿喝茶的习惯的。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
一天，白天明在学校大门口 前边 看见有人写了找猫的话：“我想找一只大白猫。
白天明听了，坐在老先生 前边 。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
星期四 前 星期三。
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
我坐在桌 前 ，在喝一杯茶，一杯热热的茶。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
他今天早上出门，几乎看不清楚 前面 的路。
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