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之前 (zhī qián) — before; ago; previously

Definition

之前 marks an earlier time and pairs with a time reference ('two days 之前') or stands alone ('之前的事'). Unlike 以前 it refers to a specific point relative to now, not a vague past.

noun
beforeagopreviously

Examples

  • 之前。
    Wǒ zhī qián zhù zài zhōng guó.
    I lived in China before.
  • 之前，。
    Zài kǎo shì zhī qián, wǒ hěn jǐn zhāng.
    Before the exam, I was very nervous.
  • 之前。
    zhī qián De shì qing wǒ dōu wàng le.
    I've forgotten everything from before.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

之zhīof
前qiánfront

The 'of' sense of 之 joins with 前 ('front') to mean before.

Characters in this word

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

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

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 →

Grammar

Appears in
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