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前面 (qián miàn) — in front; ahead; the front side

Definition

Use 前面 for the space in front of someone or something (in 3D or along a path). 上 and 上面 mean 'above/on top' (vertical position); 前 is the more abstract 'front/ago'.

noun
in frontaheadthe front side

Examples

  • 前面。
    Nǐ de shū zài qián miàn.
    Your book is in front.
  • 前面。
    qián miàn Yǒu yí gè dà zhuō zi.
    There is a big table in front.
  • 前面。
    Tā zhàn zài qián miàn.
    He stands in front.

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qiánfront
面miànside/surface

前 (front) and 面 (side/surface) give the side that lies ahead.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

面 originally drew a man’s face, with one eye exaggerated; the horizontal stroke was added later.

Open 面 →
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