先前

xiān qián

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Uncommon

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Definitions

1. before; previously

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Word relationships

Antonyms

2 items

• 后来 hòu lái 后来 hòu lái 先前 refers to earlier or before, while 后来 means later or afterwards.: 先前 refers to earlier or before, while 后来 means later or afterwards.
• 之后 zhī hòu 之后 zhī hòu after; behind 之后 means 'after' or 'afterwards', opposite in temporal sequence to 先前.: after; behind

Synonyms

2 items

• 以前 yǐ qián 以前 yǐ qián before Both mean 'before' or 'previously', often interchangeable in temporal contexts.: before
• 之前 zhī qián 之前 zhī qián before 之前 also means 'before', but 先前 is more formal and often used in written Chinese.: before

Usage notes

Common mistakes

先前 cannot be used as a conjunction to mean 'before doing something'; use 之前 instead (e.g., 吃饭之前 'before eating', not 吃饭先前).

Formality

先前 is more formal than 以前 and is commonly used in written or formal spoken contexts.

Example Sentences

1 shown

先前 我听说过这个地方。

I had heard of this place before.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 先前

• 先 先 xiān: early
• 前 前 qián: front