前年 (qián nián) — the year before last

Definition

前年 is 'the year before last' — one year further back than 去年. Contrast with 后年 ('the year after next'), which points the same distance forward.

noun

the year before last

前年。
qián nián Wǒ qù le yí tàng běi jīng.
I went to Beijing the year before last.
前年。
qián nián Tā hái shì gè dà xué shēng.
He was still a college student the year before last.
前年？
qián nián Nǐ kāi shǐ xué zhōng wén le ma?
Did you start learning Chinese the year before last?

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