前前后后 (qián qián hòu hòu) — the whole story, the ins and outs (of a matter); altogether, in total (sum of time, money, or events)

Definition

An idiom meaning 'the whole story' (every stage and detail of a matter) or 'altogether/in total'. Often modifies a noun like 事情, or pairs with 一共 to sum up time, money, or events.

idiom
the whole storythe ins and outs (of a matter)altogetherin total (sum of time, money, or events)

Examples

  • 前前后后。
    Tā bǎ shì qing de qián qián hòu hòu dōu gào sù le wǒ.
    He told me the whole story (the ins and outs) of the matter.
  • 前前后后。
    Zhǐ yǒu liǎo jiě shì qing de qián qián hòu hòu cái néng zuò chū pàn duàn.
    Only by understanding the ins and outs of the matter can you make a judgment.
  • 前前后后。
    Zhè cì lǚ xíng qián qián hòu hòu yí gòng huā le wǔ qiān kuài qián.
    This trip cost altogether five thousand yuan.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

前前front
前qiánfront前qiánfront
后后back
后hòuback后hòuback

The doubled 前 and 后 convey the whole sequence front to back, meaning all details or altogether.

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 →

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 後; 后 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 後 showed 夊 (foot) bound by 幺 (thread), a foot caught by a rope and lagging behind; the simplified 后 is a later abbreviation, and 后 also has a different meaning.

Open 后 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 後; 后 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 後 showed 夊 (foot) bound by 幺 (thread), a foot caught by a rope and lagging behind; the simplified 后 is a later abbreviation, and 后 also has a different meaning.

Open 后 →

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