前驱 (qián qū) — forerunner; precursor; pioneer

Definition

A formal, written word for a 'forerunner' or 'pioneer' who paved the way for something later. 比 先锋 more historical and abstract, less about leading a current movement.

noun
forerunnerprecursorpioneer

Examples

  • 前驱。
    Dá ěr wén shì xiàn dài jìn huà lùn de qián qū.
    Darwin is the forerunner of modern evolutionary theory.
  • 前驱。
    Zhè wèi kē xué jiā shì jì suàn jī jì shù de qián qū.
    This scientist is a pioneer in computer technology.
  • 前驱。
    Zhè xiē fā míng shì hòu lái jì shù de qián qū.
    These inventions are precursors to later technology.

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qiánahead
驱qūdrive

The sense of 前 as 'ahead' combines with 驱 as 'drive' to suggest one who drives ahead.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 驅; 驱 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
馬馬mǎhorse
Sound part声符shēngfú
區
區qū驅qū
Same sound today

The traditional form 驅 pairs 馬 (horse) with 區 as a sound part; simplified 驱 is a later shorthand.

Open 驱 →

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