HSK · Level 38
120 words
Chinese word
先前
Pronunciation
Pinyinxiān qián
Meaning
- adverbpreviously
Example
先前他在这家公司工作过。xiān qián tā zài zhè jiā gōng sī gōng zuò guò
He previously worked at this company.
More examples
先前提到的问题已经解决了。xiān qián tí dào de wèn tí yǐ jīng jiě jué le
The problem previously mentioned has already been solved.
Core concept
A time marker that places an event or state before the present, looking back to an earlier point.
Common phrases
先前提到xiān qián tí dào
previously mentioned
先前工作于xiān qián gōng zuò yú
previously worked at
先前任职于xiān qián rèn zhí yú
previously held a position at
Similar words
以前yǐ qián: Formerly or at some time in the past, in speech or writing.
之前zhī qián: Before a particular time or event, referring to an earlier point.
Definition in Chinese
在现在时间之前的某一时期或时点，表示以前发生的事或先于现在的状况，常作时间副词使用。zài xiàn zài shí jiān zhī qián de mǒu yì shí qī huò shí diǎn biǎo shì yǐ qián fā shēng de shì huò xiān yú xiàn zài de zhuàng kuàng cháng zuò shí jiān fù cí shǐ yòng
Word origin
先 (xiān, "first") + 前 (qián, "before") combines two ideas of precedence to mark an earlier time.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this adverb tends to sound more written or formal, so it fits reports, explanations, and narrative accounts better than relaxed chat.