前 Stroke Order — How to Write 前
前 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 刂, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
前 Radical and Character Components
Radical: 刂 + 7 more strokes
前 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- qián
Meanings of 前 in Chinese
1
qián前
To move forward or make progress, often in the context of achieving a goal or overcoming challenges.
为了实现梦想，我们必须勇敢前进
To achieve our dreams, we must bravely move forward.
Refers to time, past, previous, former, opposite to 'hòu' (after). It's used to indicate something that happened before or existed previously, as in 'before', 'former person', 'previous record', 'former grievance', 'preface', or 'a lesson from the past'.
我们应该从他人的失败中吸取教训，避免重蹈前车之鉴
We should learn from the failures of others to avoid repeating past mistakes.
ahead or in front in order or sequence; top
他在比赛中获得了前三名
He placed among the top three in the competition.
To move forward or advance; to proceed.
我们必须向前迈进，才能取得更大的进步。
We must move forward to achieve greater progress.
Common Words and Phrases with 前
1
2
the first half of the night; from dusk to midnight
我习惯在前半夜完成大部分的家庭作业。
I am accustomed to finishing most of my homework in the first half of the night.
3
A senior, an elder, or a predecessor, typically someone with more experience or who came before one in a field, profession, or organization.
向有经验的前辈请教是学习新技能的好方法。
Asking experienced seniors for advice is a good way to learn new skills.
4
Forearm, the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist.
他摔倒时用手肘和前臂支撑了身体，避免了更严重的伤害。
He supported himself with his elbow and forearm when he fell, avoiding more serious injury.
5
6
not long ago; recently
前不久，我参加了一个烹饪课程，学到了很多新菜。
Not long ago, I attended a cooking class and learned many new dishes.
7
the forward part of a ship, often referring to a cargo hold or cabin at the front.
船员们将货物搬运到前舱。
The crew moved the cargo to the forward compartment.
8
a lesson drawn from the mistakes or failures of one's predecessors
上次的实验失败了，我们必须吸取前车之鉴，重新调整方案，确保这次能成功。
The last experiment failed, so we must learn from that past mistake, re-adjust our plan, and ensure success this time.
9
the past; past events or experiences
放下前尘，方得自在。
Only by letting go of past illusions can one achieve true freedom.
10
11
to have a bright and promising future ahead; to have a boundless future
祝你前程万里，事业有成。
Wishing you a bright and boundless future and great success in your career.
12
past animosity; old grievances
放下前仇，才能迎接新的开始。
Only by letting go of past resentments can one embrace a new beginning.
13
before this; previously
前此，我们已经完成了项目的初步设计，并提交了初步报告。
Prior to this, we had already completed the preliminary design of the project and submitted the initial report.
14
To precede, lead the way, or act as a guide.
序言部分通常会前导整本书的内容。
The preface usually precedes the main content of the entire book.
More words with 前
- xiàng向qián前Earlier; before (in time).
- zhī之qián前before a specific time or place
- chǎn产qián前prenatal
- lú炉qián前in front of the furnace
- wǔ午qián前before noon
- zài在qián前formerly; previously
- cóng从qián前once, formerly
- gēn跟qián前In front of; near; by one's side.
- pú匍fú匐qián前jìn进Crawl forward, Creep forward
- qián前fāng方ahead, in front
- qián前jìn进Go forward, Advance
- qián前lái来come, arrive
- qián前lù路The road ahead, The way ahead
- qián前miàn面in front, ahead
- qián前rén人forefathers, ancestors
- qián前xíng行Move forward, Proceed
- chuāng窗qián前in front of the window, by the window
- dāng当qián前Current, Currently
- mén门qián前in front of the door, outside the door
- miàn面qián前in front of, before
Idioms with 前
- qián前chē车kě可jiàn鉴Learn from past mistakes
- qián前chéng程yuǎn远dà大bright and promising future
- qián前fǔ俯hòu后yǎng仰rocking back and forth
- qián前fù赴hòu后jì继advance dauntlessly, one after another
- qián前gōng功jìn尽miè灭all previous efforts wasted
- qián前gōng功jìn尽qì弃all previous efforts wasted
- qián前hū呼hòu后yōng拥escorted by a large number of followers
- qián前jiǎo脚hòu后jiǎo脚in quick succession
- qián前jù倨hòu后bēi卑Arrogant then humble
- qián前mù目hòu后fán凡detailed first, general later
- qián前pū仆hòu后jì继fall and follow in a continuous effort
- qián前qián前hòu后hòu后the whole story
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Open the tool →Questions about 前
What does 前 mean in Chinese?
前 (qián) means “To move forward or make progress” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 前?
前 is pronounced qián in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 前 have?
前 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 前?
前 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 刂. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 前?
The radical of 前 is 刂.