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前提 (qián tí) — (logic) premise; prerequisite, precondition

Definition

前提 is a more formal, often logical 'premise' — the assumed basis for a conclusion or plan. 条件 is broader, covering general circumstances and requirements in daily life.

noun
(logic) premiseprerequisiteprecondition

Examples

  • 前提。
    Zhè ge jié lùn de qián tí shì suǒ yǒu rén dōu tóng yì zhè ge fāng àn.
    The premise of this conclusion is that everyone agrees on this plan.
  • 前提。
    Shēn qǐng zhè ge gǎng wèi de qián tí shì yǒu sān nián gōng zuò jīng yàn.
    The prerequisite for applying for this position is having three years of work experience.
  • 前提。
    Xiāng hù lǐ jiě shì yǒu xiào gōu tōng de qián tí.
    Mutual understanding is the prerequisite for effective communication.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

前qiánbefore
提típut forward

The word combines 前, 'before', with 提, 'put forward', for a point stated beforehand.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

Open 前 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
扌Written in full as手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
是
是shì提tí
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

提 shows 扌 (hand) beside 是, which gives the pronunciation.

Open 提 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

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