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前任 (qián rèn) — predecessor (in a job or position); ex (former spouse or partner)

Definition

前任 pairs naturally with 现任 ('current'): the former holder of a role or a person's ex-partner. Unlike 前辈 (a respected senior in a field), 前任 refers to whoever held the post or relationship before — not a mentor.

noun
predecessor (in a job or position)ex (former spouse or partner)
Measure word · 个

Examples

  • 前任。
    Gōng sī de qián rèn zǒng cái yǐ jīng tuì xiū le.
    The former CEO of the company has retired.
  • 前任。
    Tā zài jiē shàng yù jiàn le tā de qián rèn.
    She ran into her ex on the street.
  • 前任。
    Xiàn rèn lǎo bǎn bǐ qián rèn hǎo de duō.
    The current boss is much better than the predecessor.

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
任rènpost

前 (former) and 任 (post) together mean the person who held a position earlier.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
壬
壬rén任rèn
Same sound today

任 pairs 亻, a person, with 壬, which may picture a shoulder pole turned sideways.

Open 任 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Professions & JobsRomance & Marriage

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