HSK · Level 38
120 words
Chinese word
超前
Pronunciation
Pinyinchāo qián
Meaning
- adjectiveahead of its time
Example
她的观念很超前。tā de guān niàn hěn chāo qián
Her ideas are far ahead of their time.
More examples
政府采取了超前的政策，应对潜在风险。zhèng fǔ cái qǔ le chāo qián de zhèng cè yìng duì qián zài fēng xiǎn
The government adopted advanced policies to address potential risks.
Core concept
A step beyond the present, with ideas or methods that arrive before the usual standard.
Common phrases
观念超前guān niàn chāo qián
forward-looking ideas
技术超前jì shù chāo qián
cutting-edge technology
超前意识chāo qián yì shí
advanced awareness
Similar words
领先lǐng xiān: Being in the lead in position, progress, results, or a ranking.
先进xiān jìn: Using technology, methods, or ideas that are highly developed and effective.
新颖xīn yǐng: Unusually new and original in thought, design, or expression.
过早guò zǎo: Coming before the suitable time for an action, decision, or judgment.
Definition in Chinese
比常规或传统更早出现或采取、表现出更先进特征的形容词。bǐ cháng guī huò chuán tǒng gèng zǎo chū xiàn huò cái qǔ biǎo xiàn chū gèng xiān jìn tè zhēng de xíng róng cí
Word origin
超前 (chāoqián, "ahead of its time") combines 超 (chāo, "go beyond") and 前 (qián, "ahead"), presenting something as moving beyond what is currently usual.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this word can praise a design or idea, but it can also suggest that a plan is too early for current needs, so context decides whether it sounds admiring or doubtful.