Chinese word

向前

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiàng qián

Meaning

  • adverbforward

Example

我们要向前走。wǒ men yào xiàng qián zǒu

We need to walk forward.

Illustration for 向前 (forward)

More examples

遇到挫折，也要学会向前看。yù dào cuò zhé yě yào xué huì xiàng qián kàn

Even when we face setbacks, we must learn to look ahead.

Core concept

A path that continues from the current place or stage toward the next point ahead.

Common phrases

  • 向前看xiàng qián kàn

    look ahead

  • 向前迈进xiàng qián mài jìn

    move forward

Similar words

往前wǎng qián: In the direction of the front or a place farther ahead.
进一步jìn yí bù: Beyond the current degree, range, or stage of progress.

Definition in Chinese

表示朝前方的方向或把事情向前推进的行为或状态，作副词用，既可指具体移动，也可指抽象的进展。biǎo shì cháo qián fāng de fāng xiàng huò bǎ shì qíng xiàng qián tuī jìn de xíng wéi huò zhuàng tài zuò fù cí yòng jì kě zhǐ jù tǐ yí dòng yě kě zhǐ chōu xiàng de jìn zhǎn

Word origin

The compound joins 向 (xiàng, "toward") with 前 (qián, "front"), creating a direction that applies both to moving through space and to moving an idea or task toward completion.

Usage tips

  • English often places "forward" after a verb, but this Chinese adverb normally appears before the verb, making word order important in short action phrases.

Other meanings

  • aheadadverb

Opposites

  • 向后xiàng hòubackwardadverb

Word lists with this word