之前
zhīqián
The Chinese word for 'before' (as a conjunction) is 之前 (zhīqián).
之前 is used to indicate that something happens in advance of a specific time or event. In Chinese, you express 'before [time/event]' by placing the time or event first, followed by 之前.
Meaning: in advance of the time when (conj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 之 (zhī), a possessive particle and 前 (qián), meaning 'front' or 'before'.
Which one should you use?
While 之前 often refers to a specific point in time or a specific event, the word 以前 is more commonly used to refer to a general period in the past.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a conjunction to mean 'before [event]', 之前 is placed after the event or time phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
zhīqián
Did you know?
- The word 前 is used in the phrase 前途, which means 'future' or 'prospects', because the future is viewed as the path lying 'in front' of you.
- In ancient Chinese, 之 was a pronoun used to refer to people or things, but over centuries it evolved into the grammatical particle used in 之前 to connect nouns.
- Chinese uses the concept of 'front' (前) for time, whereas some other languages use 'back' or 'behind' to refer to the past.
Examples in context
- 六点之前要回家。You should come home before six.This sentence shows how to use 之前 with a specific time.Tatoeba #8591279 by easononizuka, translation #72410 by CK
- 吃早餐之前先澆花。Water the flowers before you have breakfast.This sentence demonstrates using 之前 with an event like breakfast.Tatoeba #1485255 by cienias, translation #277745 by CK
- 你之前知道那個嗎？Did you know that before?This sentence shows how 之前 can be used to ask about prior knowledge.Tatoeba #3715254 by egg0073, translation #3962735 by JSakuragi
- 我在开会之前已经发了一封电子邮件。I had sent an email before the meeting.
- 请你仔细阅读出发之前的指南。Please read the guidelines before departure.
- 我以前住在北京。I used to live in Beijing.
- 这个地方以前是一个公园。This place used to be a park.
- 我以前认识她。I knew her before.
- 这家餐厅以前有个更大的分店。This restaurant used to have a bigger branch.
- 127 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project deadline.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，周五之前能完成报告吗？Zǐhán, zhōuwǔ zhīqián néng wánchéng bàogào ma?Zihan, can you finish the report before Friday?
- 梓涵 Zihan没问题，我周四之前就发给你。Méi wèntí, wǒ zhōusì zhīqián jiù fā gěi nǐ.No problem, I will send it to you before Thursday.
- 俊杰 Junjie太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ.Great, thank you.
- 梓涵 Zihan不客气，俊杰。Bù kèqì, Jùnjié.You're welcome, Junjie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
