Chinese–EnglishWith examples

之前

zhī qián · zhi qian

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 4

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. before
  2. prior to
  3. ago
  4. previously
  5. beforehand
Embed this word

Put this word on your class page or blog. Keep the link under the frame, so people can find the word. More widgets

In a conversation

0:14 cartoon

Before bedtime

  1. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)几点(jǐdiǎn)要(yào)交(jiāo)报告(bàogào)？

    What time do you have to hand in the report?

  2. Dengdeng

    明天(míngtiān)十点(shídiǎn)之前(zhīqián)。

    Before ten tomorrow.

  3. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)写完(xiěwán)了(le)吗(ma)？

    Have you finished writing it?

  4. Dengdeng

    还没有(háiméiyǒu)，不过(bùguò)睡觉(shuìjiào)之前(zhīqián)我(wǒ)一定(yīdìng)写完(xiěwán)。

    Not yet, but I will definitely finish before I sleep.

  5. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)昨天(zuótiān)睡觉(shuìjiào)之前(zhīqián)也(yě)这么(zhème)说(shuō)。

    You said the same thing yesterday before bed.

Tap a word for its meaning in this line. The characters’ voices are computer-generated.

In a sentence

2 examples
01

火(huǒ)车(chē)在(zài)他(tā)们(men)赶(gǎn)到(dào)车(chē)站(zhàn)之(zhī)前(qián)就(jiù)开(kāi)走(zǒu)了(le)。

The train left before they got to the station.

Tatoeba: Chinese by fercheung · English by Eldad · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

02

睡(shuì)觉(jiào)之(zhī)前(qián)，我(wǒ)习(xí)惯(guàn)看(kàn)一(yí)会(huì)儿(r)书(shū)。

Before going to sleep, I'm used to reading for a while.

Sources & licenses

How to write

Stroke order & practice

Choose a character to watch its strokes or trace it yourself.

Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

Browse all wordsExplore words in context