前奏 (qián zòu) — prelude (in music); harbinger, precursor (of an…

Definition

Literally 'front performance': the opening section of a musical piece, or figuratively a sign that something larger is about to happen.

noun

prelude (in music)harbingerprecursor (of an event)

前奏。
Zhè shǒu gāng qín qǔ de qián zòu fēi cháng yōu měi.
The prelude of this piano piece is very beautiful.
前奏。
Zhè cì huì tán shì hé píng xié yì de qián zòu.
This meeting is a harbinger of the peace agreement.
。
Chūn tiān de xì yǔ shì huā kāi de qián zòu.
The spring drizzle is a prelude to the blooming of flowers.

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 means 'before' and 奏 refers to music, giving a piece played before the main work.

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.

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

The shape of 奏 pictures hands holding an object, perhaps an instrument used in a ritual, or hands collecting resin dripping from a cut tree.

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