Time / Direction Noun 前 (qián) - Indicating Prior Time / Before

Pattern

• [Time duration] + 前 (e.g. 三天前 - 3 days ago)
• [Action / Event] + 前 (Before doing something...)

Usage

• Placed after a time duration or an event/point in time to indicate “before” or “ago”.

Examples

1. 1

   三天前

   sān tiān qián

   Three days ago.

2. 2

   吃饭前，我要洗手。

   Chīfàn qián, wǒ yào xǐshǒu.

   Before eating, I must wash my hands.