前言 (qián yán) — preface, foreword, introduction (of a book); earlier remarks, previous statements

Definition

A short opening section that introduces a book or a speech/talk — comes before the main content. More formal and written than 序言 (xùyán), which is a near-synonym often used in classical or literary works.

noun
prefaceforewordintroduction (of a book)earlier remarksprevious statements
Easily confused

Examples

  • 前言。
    Zhè běn xiǎo shuō de qián yán jiè shào le zuò zhě xiě shū de bèi jǐng.
    The preface of this novel introduces the background of the author's writing.
  • 前言，。
    Kāi huì shí tā xiān shuō le jǐ jù qián yán, rán hòu cái jìn rù zhǔ tí.
    During the meeting, he first made a few opening remarks before getting to the main topic.
  • 前言，。
    Zhè běn shū de qián yán xiě dé fēi cháng jiǎn míng, dú zhě hěn róng yì lǐ jiě.
    The foreword of this book is written very concisely, making it easy for readers to understand.

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qiánearlier or front
言yánwords

The 前 sense of earlier or front combines with 言 as words to mean words placed before a text.

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 →

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Open 言 →

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