verb / adverb HSK 4
in advance · ahead of schedule · to move up · to advance
Meaning
提前 means to do something earlier than originally planned or scheduled. It can function as a verb meaning 'to advance/move up a time' or as an adverb meaning 'in advance/ahead of time.' The word literally combines 提 (to raise/lift) and 前 (front/before), suggesting moving something forward in time.
Usage
Commonly used in daily conversation when discussing schedules, appointments, or deadlines. Often appears with time expressions like 提前一天 (one day in advance) or 提前十分钟 (ten minutes early). Can be used for both concrete times (meetings, flights) and abstract planning (preparation, booking).
Examples
- 01我们提前一小时到了机场。.We arrived at the airport an hour early.
- 02明天的会议提前到下午两点。.Tomorrow's meeting has been moved up to 2 PM.
Characters
Common collocations
- 提前预订to book in advance
- 提前通知to notify in advance
- 提前准备to prepare in advance
- 提前完成to complete ahead of schedule
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 提 (lift/raise) and 前 (before/front) creates the meaning of 'bringing forward' or 'moving something to an earlier time.'