Meaning of 前提
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- premise
- precondition
- prerequisite
How to use 前提
前提 is used for a condition that must be met first, often in the pattern 在……的前提下 (under the premise that...). It is common in formal speech, news and writing. Example: 在安全的前提下，我们可以试试。(Zài ānquán de qiántí xià, wǒmen kěyǐ shìshi.) As long as it is safe, we can give it a try.
前 (qián) means front or before, and 提 (tí) means to raise or bring up. A 前提 is the thing you must bring up first, before anything else can happen.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes mix up 前提 (qiántí) with 前天 (qiántiān), the day before yesterday, because they start the same way. Also keep 提 in the second tone, tí, not the third tone.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
前 qián · front · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 8
- 9
提 tí · to carry · 12 strokes
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- 2
- 3
- 4
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- 12
Related words
Words that share a character with 前提.
| 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 |
| 提到 | tídào | to mention; to raise (a subject) |
| 提出 | tíchū | to raise (an issue); to propose |
| 提高 | tígāo | to raise; to increase |
| 前年 | qiánnián | the year before last |
| 目前 | mùqián | at the present time; currently |
| 前面 | qiánmiàn | ahead; in front |
| 前进 | qiánjìn | to go forward; to forge ahead |
| 前往 | qiánwǎng | to leave for; to proceed towards; to go to |
Questions about 前提
What does 前提 mean?
前提 (qiántí) means "premise; precondition" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 前提?
前提 is made of 2 characters: 前 (9 strokes), 提 (12 strokes). That is 21 strokes in total.
Is 前提 an HSK word?
Yes. 前提 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 前提 and 条件?
条件 (tiáojiàn) is a general word for any condition or requirement. 前提 stresses the most basic condition that has to come first, the foundation for everything else.
Can 前提 be used as a verb?
No, 前提 is a noun. You say 以……为前提 (yǐ... wéi qiántí), to take something as a precondition, for example 以自愿为前提, on the premise that it is voluntary.