Definition
前年 (qián nián) means 'the year before last' — two years ago from now. It is one year further back than 去年 (last year). The 前- prefix works the same way in 前天 (day before yesterday), helping you remember the time offset.
noun
the year before last
Examples
- 前年。qián nián wǒ qù le yí tàng Běijīng.I went to Beijing the year before last.
- 前年。qián nián tā hái shì ge dàxuéshēng.He was still a college student the year before last.
- 前年？qián nián nǐ kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén le ma?Did you start learning Chinese the year before last?
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