Chinese word

前者

Pronunciation

Pinyinqián zhě

Meaning

  • pronounthe former

Example

前者更便宜。qián zhě gèng pián yi

The former is cheaper.

Illustration for 前者 (the former)

More examples

与后者相比，前者更便于携带。yǔ hòu zhě xiāng bǐ qián zhě gèng biàn yú xié dài

Compared with the latter, the former is easier to carry.

Core concept

The first item in a comparison or list, treated as a single label for that earlier choice.

Common phrases

  • 前者和后者qián zhě hé hòu zhě

    the former and the latter

  • 与前者相比yǔ qián zhě xiāng bǐ

    compared with the former

  • 就前者而言jiù qián zhě ér yán

    as for the former

Similar words

后者hòu zhě: Means the person or thing named later when two or more items are compared or listed.
前一个qián yí gè: Means the specific person, thing, or event that came immediately before in a sequence.

Definition in Chinese

指在比较或列举时位于前面的那个人或事物，也可作为代词代替前面提到的项。zhǐ zài bǐ jiào huò liè jǔ shí wèi yú qián miàn de nà ge rén huò shì wù yě kě zuò wéi dài cí dài tì qián miàn tí dào de xiàng

Word origin

前者 (qiánzhě, "the former") combines 前 (qián, "before") with 者 (zhě, "person or thing"), turning the earlier item into a noun-like reference.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word can sound formal, so speakers often repeat the noun or say the first one when the reference might be unclear.

Opposites

Word lists with this word