事先

shì xiān

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

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Definitions

1. in advance
2. before the event
3. beforehand
4. prior

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 事后 shì hòu 事后 shì hòu after the event 表示在事情发生之后: after the event

Synonyms

2 items

• 提前 tí qián 提前 tí qián to shift to an earlier date 表示在某个时间或事情发生之前: to shift to an earlier date
• 预先 yù xiān 预先 yù xiān beforehand 多用于正式书面语或准备工作中: beforehand

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not use 事先 as a verb meaning 'to advance'; use 提前 instead, as in 提前时间 (advance the time), not 事先时间.

Formality

Often used in formal contexts, such as giving prior notice or making arrangements in advance.

Example Sentences

2 shown

我 事先 不知道这件事。

I didn't know about this beforehand.

你必須 事先 預約。

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 875096)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 事先

• 事先通知 事先通知 shì xiān tōng zhī: preliminary notification

Child Words of 事先

• 事 事 shì: matter
• 先 先 xiān: early