前 qián — before; in front; ago; former; previous; earlier
学校前面有一个公园。Xué xiào qián mian yǒu yí ge gōng yuán.There is a park in front of the school.
Common words: 前面 (qián miàn)、前天 (qián tiān)、前边 (qián bian)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "before"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "before", including 前 (qián), 曾 (céng / zēng). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "before" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 前 (qián), 曾 (céng / zēng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span qián, céng, zēng — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 前 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 前 qiánbefore; in front; ago; former; previous; earlierUseful words: 前面, 前天
- 曾 céng / zēng(refers to something that happened previously); already; at some time in the past; before; once; (surname)Useful words: 曾经, 不曾
Common words for these 2 "before" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 前 (qián) — so "before" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
前面qián miànahead; in front; preceding; above前天qián tiānthe day before yesterday前边qián bianfront; the front side; in front of曾经céng jīngonce; already; former; previously不曾bù cénghasn't yet; hasn't ever似曾相识sì céng xiāng shídéjà vu (the experience of seeing exactly the same situation a second time); seemingly familiar; apparently already acquainted
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "before".
曾 céng / zēng — (refers to something that happened previously); already; at some time in the past; before; once; (surname)
我曾经去过那座城市。Wǒ céng jīng qù guò nà zuò chéng shì.I have been to that city before.
Common words: 曾经 (céng jīng)、不曾 (bù céng)、似曾相识 (sì céng xiāng shí)
All 2 characters
Open 前、曾 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.