Meaning of 从前
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- previously
- formerly
- once upon a time
How to use 从前
从前 talks about an earlier time, often one that is different from now. It is also the classic opening of Chinese fairy tales, like "once upon a time." Example: 从前有一座山。(Cóngqián yǒu yí zuò shān.) Once upon a time there was a mountain.
从 (cóng) means "from" and 前 (qián) means "before" or "front," so 从前 is "from before," the time back then. Picture two people walking (从 looks like two 人) out of the past toward you.
Common mistake: Learners often use 从前 right after a time word, as in 三年从前. That is wrong. Use 以前 instead: 三年以前 (sān nián yǐqián), three years ago. 从前 stands alone and cannot follow a time phrase.
从前 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
从 cóng · from · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
前 qián · front · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 从前.
| 前天 | qiántiān | the day before yesterday |
| 前边 | qiánbian | front; the front side |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before; formerly |
| 面前 | miànqián | in front of; facing |
| 从小 | cóngxiǎo | from childhood; from a young age |
| 前年 | qiánnián | the year before last |
| 从来 | cónglái | always; at all times |
| 目前 | mùqián | at the present time; currently |
| 前面 | qiánmiàn | ahead; in front |
| 自从 | zìcóng | since (a time); ever since |
| 前进 | qiánjìn | to go forward; to forge ahead |
| 前往 | qiánwǎng | to leave for; to proceed towards; to go to |
Questions about 从前
What does 从前 mean?
从前 (cóngqián) means "previously; formerly" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 从前?
从前 is made of 2 characters: 从 (4 strokes), 前 (9 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 从前 an HSK word?
Yes. 从前 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 从前 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 从前 is written 從前.
What is the difference between 从前 and 以前?
Both can mean "before" or "in the past," but 以前 is more flexible. It can follow a time or event, as in 吃饭以前 (chīfàn yǐqián), before eating. 从前 usually refers to the more distant past and has a slightly nostalgic or storytelling feel.
Where does 从前 go in a sentence?
It usually goes at the start of the sentence or right after the subject, like other time words. For example, 我从前住在北京 (Wǒ cóngqián zhù zài Běijīng) means "I used to live in Beijing."