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Pinyin qián IPA [tɕʰjɛn˧˥] Zhuyin ㄑㄧㄢˊ
HSK 1 noun 名词 Book 1 · Lesson 11 freq #127

Meaning

In front, or before, in space or time — a location word: 以前 means "previously". The fuller spatial form is 前面 (in front / the front). Its opposite is 后.

Examples

我二十年前出生。 wǒ èr shí nián qián chū shēng I was born 20 years ago.
我出生在二十年前。 wǒ chū shēng zài èr shí nián qián I was born 20 years ago.
飞机十分钟前起飞了。 fēi jī shí fēn zhōng qián qǐ fēi le The airplane took off ten minutes ago.

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