前后 (qián hòu) — front and back (spatial); before and after; the whole period (temporal); in total; approximately (used with time or counts)
Definition
前后 can mean physical 'front and back' (我家前后各有一棵树) or temporal 'before and after'. For 'in total' with numbers, 共 or 总共 is more precise.
noun
front and back (spatial)before and afterthe whole period (temporal)in totalapproximately (used with time or counts)
Examples
- 前后。Wǒ jiā qián hòu gè yǒu yì kē shù.There is a tree in front and behind my house.
- 前后。Huì yì qián hòu tǎo lùn le liǎng gè xiǎo shí.The meeting discussed for two hours before and after (the main event).
- 前后。Tā qián hòu xiě le wǔ fēng xìn.He wrote five letters in total.
Appears in
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