前人 (qián rén) — forefathers, ancestors; predecessors (in a field or position)

Definition

Refers to people who came before us — ancestors, or earlier generations whose work or wisdom we build on. Unlike a literal 'the person in front,' it is always used figuratively for predecessors, not someone physically ahead.

noun
forefathersancestorspredecessors (in a field or position)

Examples

  • 前人，。
    qián rén Zāi shù, hòu rén chéng liáng.
    The predecessors plant trees, the descendants enjoy the shade.
  • 前人。
    Wǒ men yào xué xí qián rén de jīng yàn.
    We must learn from the experience of predecessors.
  • 前人。
    qián rén De zhì huì zhí dé wǒ men zūn jìng.
    The wisdom of our forefathers deserves our respect.

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qiánformer
人rénperson

前 former and 人 person combine to mean predecessors or forefathers.

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 人 shows a side view of a standing person, with an arm and a leg.

Open 人 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.