前面
前front面side=in front
前
前 (qián) Chinese Character: front, before
Take one step forward — 前 is what lies ahead.
Practice 前 in the interactive lessonChinese character story: A Step Forward
The old form behind 前 (qián) showed a foot moving ahead. That motion gave the character its two main ideas: “in front” in space and “before” in time. Imagine taking one clear step forward — everything ahead of you is 前.
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes
Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.
以前
以up to前before=before or previously
以前 works as one common time word.
Chinese character origin and etymology
前 is documented as a basic character form. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.
In modern simplified Chinese, 前 is written with 9 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 前 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.
Chinese character stroke order and structure
前 is written with 9 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.
- 前 — the modern form developed from an older character for moving forward
Common usage and sentence patterns
The examples below show 前 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.
学校前面有一家商店。
There is a shop in front of the school.
请往前走。
Please walk forward.
我们三年前认识。
We met three years ago.
Learning tips for 前
Learn the reading as one unit: qián, with the second tone: rising. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “front, before,” and write the 9 strokes from memory.
Because 前 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 后 (hòu, back, after — the opposite of 前); 剪 (jiǎn, cut — 前 over knife (刀)); 箭 (jiàn, arrow — bamboo (竹) + 前). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.
Quick review checklist
- Can you recognize 前 without pinyin?
- Can you say qián with the correct tone and explain “front, before”?
- Can you write all 9 strokes in order?
- Can you use 前 in one short sentence?
Related characters
Learn 前 in a themed collection
Compare this character with related beginner words. A themed path helps you notice useful pairs, word-building patterns, and everyday contexts.
Continue learning Chinese characters
Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.
Sources and editorial note
HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.
Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.