前面 (qián miàn) is the everyday word for 'in front' or 'ahead' — it refers to the location or area directly in front of something. The single character 前 (qián) is more often used for time ('before') or as a prefix; 前方 (qiánfāng) is more formal and used for the direction ahead, like in navigation. 正面 (zhèngmiàn) specifically means the front side of an object or a direct/positive approach.