HSK · Level 31
135 words
Chinese word
眼前
Pronunciation
Pinyinyǎn qián
Meaning
- nounbefore one's eyes
Example
眼前有一个人。yǎn qián yǒu yí gè rén
There is a person right in front of me.
More examples
成功就在眼前，不要放弃。chéng gōng jiù zài yǎn qián bú yào fàng qì
Success is right before our eyes; don't give up.
Core concept
A nearby space or immediate situation that lies directly in the focus of attention.
Common phrases
就在眼前jiù zài yǎn qián
right before one's eyes
眼前的事yǎn qián de shì
the matter at hand
Similar words
现在xiàn zài: The current time or condition.
目前mù qián: The immediate matter or situation needing attention.
面前miàn qián: A position right in front of someone.
Definition in Chinese
位于视线前方、距离较近的地方，也常用来表示当前、眼下的情形。wèi yú shì xiàn qián fāng jù lí jiào jìn de dì fāng yě cháng yòng lái biǎo shì dāng qián yǎn xià de qíng xíng
Word origin
眼 (yǎn, "eye") + 前 (qián, "front") literally places something in the area ahead of the eyes, and this spatial sense extends to what is immediately present or current.
Usage tips
- English often splits this spatial and time-related idea into different expressions, so context shows whether the word concerns something visible nearby or the situation currently being dealt with.