前身 (qián shēn) — predecessor, forerunner, previous form (of an organization, concept, or person); front part of a Chinese robe or jacket

Definition

Mostly means 'predecessor' — the earlier form of an organization, system, or person (including a past life). The clothing sense (front of a robe) is rare and traditional.

noun
predecessorforerunnerprevious form (of an organization, concept, or person)front part of a Chinese robe or jacket

Examples

  • 前身。
    Zhè jiā gōng sī de qián shēn shì yì jiā xiǎo gōng chǎng.
    The predecessor of this company was a small factory.
  • 前身。
    Tā xiāng xìn tā de qián shēn shì yí wèi sēng rén.
    He believes his previous incarnation was a monk.
  • 前身。
    Zhè jiàn cháng páo de qián shēn xiù zhe jīng měi de huā wén.
    The front part of this robe is embroidered with exquisite patterns.

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qiánfront/previous
身shēnbody

前 'front/previous' + 身 'body' gives a former form or front part.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 身 comes from a drawing of a pregnant woman.

Open 身 →

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