adverb / noun HSK 4
before · previously · earlier · formerly
Meaning
先前 refers to a time period before the present moment or before some reference point in time. It indicates something that happened or existed in the past, typically in the recent past or in a timeframe relevant to the current discussion.
Usage
先前 is commonly used in both spoken and written Mandarin to refer to earlier events or states. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to set the temporal context. It's slightly more formal than 以前 but less formal than 此前.
Examples
- 01先前我不知道这件事，现在才明白。, .I didn't know about this matter before, but now I understand.
- 02他先前在上海工作，后来搬到了北京。, .He previously worked in Shanghai, and later moved to Beijing.
Characters
Common collocations
- 先前的计划the previous plan
- 如先前所说as previously mentioned
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to temporal precedence: 先 means 'first/earlier' and 前 means 'before/in front'. Together they emphasize the concept of 'earlier time' or 'beforehand'.