Chinese word dictionary

从前

cóngqián · previously; formerly; once upon a time

Practice word

Word information

Simplified从前

Traditional從前

Pinyincóngqián

Part of speech名

HSK 3.05

HSK 2.05

Character breakdown

Study each Hanzi separately, then return to the complete word so pronunciation, meaning, and movement stay connected.

从cóng

from, by, since, whence, through

前qián

in front, forward; former, preceding

How to learn 从前

Listen once without reading, repeat the pinyin with its tones, then write every character in sequence. Finally, recall the complete meaning instead of memorizing each character as an isolated translation.

When the word appears in a sentence, check whether its part of speech and meaning match the definition shown here. Chinese words can change nuance with context.

Related vocabulary

Words with the same characters

Compare how a familiar Hanzi changes meaning inside another word.

前qián

front; forward; ahead; first; top (followed by a number); future; ago; before; BC (e.g. 前293年); former; formerly

从cóng

from; through; via; (bound form) to follow; (bound form) to obey; (bound form) to engage in (an activity); (used before a negative) ever; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) retainer; attendant; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) assistant; auxiliary; subordinate; (bound form) (Taiwan pr. [zong4]) related by common paternal grandfather or earlier ancestor; surname Cong; variant of 從|从[cong2]

从小cóngxiǎo

from childhood; from a young age

前面qiánmiàn

ahead; in front; preceding; above; also pr. [qian2 mian5]

面前miànqián

in front of; facing; (in the) presence (of)

前年qiánnián

the year before last