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生前 (shēng qián) — Chinese word meaning

HSK 7

生前 (shēng qián) is a Chinese word: during one's lifetime. This page shows its pinyin, translation, example sentences, character breakdown, decomposition, and HSK level.

Meaning of 生前

名 míng noun

during one's lifetime

她生前是一位著名的作家。

tā shēng qián shì yī wèi zhù míng de zuò jiā

She was a famous writer during her lifetime.

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Word breakdown

生 shēng — life, living

Words with this character (72)
Show more (+67)

前 qián — before, prior to

Words with this character (40)
Show more (+35)
  • 6 之前 zhī qián — before HSK 4
    • 之 connecting particle linking time reference to 'before'
    • 前 before, prior, anteriority in time
    Example

    三年之前我不会说中文。

    sān nián zhī qián wǒ bù huì shuō zhōng wén

    Three years ago, I couldn't speak Chinese.

  • 7 前后 qián hòu — front and back; before and after; around HSK 4
    • 前 front; before (represents the earlier part or beginning)
    • 后 back; after (represents the later part or end)
    Example

    这件事前后花了三个月时间。

    zhè jiàn shì qián hòu huā le sān gè yuè shí jiān

    This matter took around three months in total.

  • 8 前方 qián fāng — ahead, front HSK 4
    • 前 front, forward
    • 方 direction, side
    Example

    前方有一个红绿灯。

    qián fāng yǒu yí gè hóng lǜ dēng

    There is a traffic light ahead.

  • 9 提前 tí qián — in advance, ahead of schedule HSK 4
    • 提 to bring forward, to advance
    • 前 ahead, forward (in time)
    Example

    我们需要提前预订酒店。

    wǒ men xū yào tí qián yù dìng jiǔ diàn

    We need to book the hotel in advance.

  • 10 目前 mù qián — at present HSK 4
    • 目 eye, sight (what is visible)
    • 前 front, before (in front of one's eyes)
    Example

    目前我在学习中文。

    mù qián wǒ zài xué xí zhōng wén

    At present, I am studying Chinese.

  • 11 眼前 yǎn qián — before one's eyes; at present HSK 4
    • 眼 eye; provides the visual/perceptual perspective
    • 前 front/before; indicates spatial or temporal immediacy
    Example

    我们要解决眼前的问题。

    wǒ men yào jiě jué yǎn qián de wèn tí

    We need to solve the problem at hand.

  • 12 从前 cóng qián — in the past HSK 5
    • 从 from
    • 前 before, previous
    Example

    从前有一个美丽的公主。

    cóng qián yǒu yí gè měi lì de gōng zhǔ

    Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess.

  • 13 前往 qián wǎng — to go to, to head for HSK 5
    • 前 forward, ahead (indicating direction)
    • 往 go, toward (indicating movement)
    Example

    我们明天前往北京。

    wǒ men míng tiān qián wǎng Běi jīng

    We will go to Beijing tomorrow.

  • 14 前来 qián lái — to come HSK 5
    • 前 forward, indicates directional movement toward
    • 来 to come, to arrive
    Example

    欢迎大家前来参加我们的活动。

    huān yíng dà jiā qián lái cān jiā wǒ men de huó dòng

    Welcome everyone to come participate in our event.

  • 15 前进 qián jìn — to advance HSK 5
    • 前 forward, front (indicates direction)
    • 进 to enter, to move into (indicates the action of moving)
    Example

    他们向山顶前进。

    tā men xiàng shān dǐng qián jìn

    They advance toward the mountain peak.

  • 16 前途 qián tú — future, prospects HSK 5
    • 前 ahead, forward, future (temporal direction)
    • 途 path, journey, way (metaphorical life path)
    Example

    这个年轻人前途光明。

    zhè ge nián qīng rén qián tú guāng míng

    This young person has a bright future.

  • 17 当前 dāng qián — current HSK 5
    • 当 at the time of; during
    • 前 before; ahead (in temporal sense)
    Example

    当前最重要的任务是完成这个项目。

    dāng qián zuì zhòng yào de rèn wu shì wán chéng zhè ge xiàng mù

    The most important task at present is to complete this project.

  • 18 此前 cǐ qián — before this HSK 5
    • 此 this (indicating the current point in time)
    • 前 before, prior (indicating time before the reference point)
    Example

    此前我从未去过北京。

    cǐ qián wǒ cóng wèi qù guo Běi jīng

    Before this, I had never been to Beijing.

  • 19 先前 xiān qián — before, previously HSK 6
    • 先 first, earlier
    • 前 before, front
    Example

    我先前在这里工作过。

    wǒ xiān qián zài zhè lǐ gōng zuò guò

    I worked here before.

  • 20 前提 qián tí — premise HSK 6
    • 前 prior, beforehand
    • 提 put forward, proposition
    Example

    成功的前提是努力工作。

    chéng gōng de qián tí shì nǔ lì gōng zuò

    The prerequisite for success is hard work.

  • 21 前景 qián jǐng — prospect; outlook HSK 6
    • 前 ahead; forward (indicating future time or direction)
    • 景 scene; view (the vision or picture of what lies ahead)
    Example

    他对未来充满信心，前景光明。

    tā duì wèi lái chōng mǎn xìn xīn qián jǐng guāng míng

    He is confident about the future; the prospects are bright.

  • 22 前期 qián qī — early stage HSK 6
    • 前 earlier, previous
    • 期 period, stage
    Example

    项目前期需要大量准备工作。

    xiàng mù qián qī xū yào dà liàng zhǔn bèi gōng zuò

    The early stage of the project requires a lot of preparation work.

  • 23 前者 qián zhě — the former HSK 6
    • 前 former, first
    • 者 one (nominalizing particle)
    Example

    在这两个选择中，我更喜欢前者。

    zài zhè liǎng gè xuǎn zé zhōng wǒ gèng xǐ huan qián zhě

    Between these two choices, I prefer the former.

  • 24 日前 rì qián — a few days ago HSK 6
    Example

    我日前收到了你的来信。

    wǒ rì qián shōu dào le nǐ de lái xìn

    I received your letter a few days ago.

  • 25 跟前 gēn qián — nearby; close by; in front of HSK 6
    • 跟 to follow; heel (suggesting close proximity)
    • 前 front; before
    Example

    奶奶喜欢把孙子留在跟前。

    nǎi nai xǐ huan bǎ sūn zi liú zài gēn qián

    Grandma likes to keep her grandson close by.

  • 26 前任 qián rèn — predecessor HSK 7
    • 前 former, previous
    • 任 term of office, position
    Example

    前任总统的政策影响深远。

    qián rèn zǒng tǒng de zhèng cè yǐng xiǎng shēn yuǎn

    The former president's policies have far-reaching effects.

  • 27 前台 qián tái — front desk HSK 7
    Example

    请到前台办理入住手续。

    qǐng dào qián tái bàn lǐ rù zhù shǒu xù

    Please go to the front desk to check in.

  • 28 前夕 qián xī — eve HSK 7
    • 前 before, preceding
    • 夕 evening, night (time period)
    Example

    新年前夕，全家人聚在一起吃饭。

    xīn nián qián xī quán jiā rén jù zài yì qǐ chī fàn

    On New Year's Eve, the whole family gathers together to eat.

  • 29 前所未有 qián suǒ wèi yǒu — unprecedented HSK 7
    • 前 before, previous
    • 所 that which (nominalizing particle)
    • 未 not yet, never
    • 有 to have, to exist
    Example

    这是一次前所未有的挑战。

    zhè shì yī cì qián suǒ wèi yǒu de tiǎo zhàn

    This is an unprecedented challenge.

  • 30 前无古人 qián wú gǔ rén — unprecedented HSK 7
    • 前 before, preceding (referring to the past)
    • 无 without, not have (negation)
    • 古 ancient, old (referring to people of antiquity)
    • 人 people, person (those who came before)
    Example

    这项发明在科技史上前无古人。

    zhè xiàng fā míng zài kē jì shǐ shàng qián wú gǔ rén

    This invention is unprecedented in the history of science and technology.

  • 31 前沿 qián yán — cutting edge HSK 7
    • 前 front, forward position
    • 沿 edge, border, frontier
    Example

    这家公司站在行业前沿。

    zhè jiā gōng sī zhàn zài háng yè qián yán

    This company stands at the forefront of the industry.

  • 32 前程 qián chéng — future prospects HSK 7
    • 前 ahead, forward-looking, future
    • 程 journey, course, path of development
    Example

    她为了美好的前程努力学习。

    tā wèi le měi hǎo de qián chéng nǔ lì xué xí

    She studies hard for a bright future.

  • 33 前线 qián xiàn — front line HSK 7
    • 前 front, forward position
    • 线 line, boundary demarcation
    Example

    医生们在抗疫前线日夜奋战。

    yī shēng men zài kàng yì qián xiàn rì yè fèn zhàn

    Doctors are fighting day and night on the anti-epidemic front line.

  • 34 前赴后继 qián fù hòu jì — to advance wave upon wave HSK 7
    • 前 front, forward (those who go first)
    • 赴 to rush to, to go forward (courageously)
    • 后 behind, after (those who follow)
    • 继 to continue, to succeed (the mission)
    Example

    革命烈士前赴后继，为国家独立献出生命。

    gé mìng liè shì qián fù hòu jì wèi guó jiā dú lì xiàn chū shēng mìng

    Revolutionary martyrs advanced wave upon wave, sacrificing their lives for national independence.

  • 35 前辈 qián bèi — senior HSK 7
    • 前 before, former
    • 辈 generation, rank
    Example

    前辈们给了我很多宝贵的建议。

    qián bèi men gěi le wǒ hěn duō bǎo guì de jiàn yì

    The seniors gave me a lot of valuable advice.

  • 36 勇往直前 yǒng wǎng zhí qián — forge ahead courageously HSK 7
    • 勇 brave, courageous
    • 往 go, move toward
    • 直 straight, directly
    • 前 forward, ahead
    Example

    面对困难，我们要勇往直前。

    miàn duì kùn nán wǒ men yào yǒng wǎng zhí qián

    Facing difficulties, we must forge ahead courageously.

  • 37 史无前例 shǐ wú qián lì — unprecedented HSK 7
    • 史 history (provides historical scope)
    • 无 without/not have (negation)
    • 前 previous/before (temporal reference)
    • 例 example/precedent (the thing being referenced)
    Example

    这次疫情对全球经济造成了史无前例的影响。

    zhè cì yì qíng duì quán qiú jīng jì zào chéng le shǐ wú qián lì de yǐng xiǎng

    This pandemic caused an unprecedented impact on the global economy.

  • 38 思前想后 sī qián xiǎng hòu — think over and over HSK 7
    • 思 think (about the past)
    • 前 before, what came earlier
    • 想 think (about the future)
    • 后 after, what comes later
    Example

    我思前想后，决定接受这份工作。

    wǒ sī qián xiǎng hòu jué dìng jiē shòu zhè fèn gōng zuò

    I thought it over and over, and decided to accept this job.

  • 39 空前 kōng qián — unprecedented HSK 7
    • 空 empty, void, nothing (indicating absence)
    • 前 before, preceding (indicating previous time)
    Example

    这是一次空前的成功。

    zhè shì yí cì kōng qián de chéng gōng

    This is an unprecedented success.

  • 40 超前 chāo qián — advanced HSK 7
    • 超 exceed, surpass
    • 前 ahead, in front
    Example

    他的想法很超前。

    tā de xiǎng fǎ hěn chāo qián

    His ideas are very advanced.

Structure & writing
1 生 shēng — to be born; to give birth
生 is a component in 7 characters
HSK 1
星 xīng stars twinkling in the night sky
HSK 2
姓 xìng surname; family name
HSK 4
性 xìng character; temperament; disposition
HSK 5
胜 shèng to defeat an opponent or enemy
HSK 6
甥 shēng nephew (sister's son)
HSK 7
牲 shēng livestock (cattle, horses, donkeys, mules); in ancient times, sacrificial animals (cattle, sheep, pigs) 隆 lóng grand; magnificent

生 is an atomic character — it does not decompose further.

Stroke order

2 前 qián — front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后)
前 is a component in 3 characters
HSK 5
剪 jiǎn scissors; a cutting tool with two crossing blades
HSK 6
箭 jiàn arrow (ancient weapon with a pointed tip and feathered shaft, shot from a bow or crossbow)
HSK 7
煎 jiān to pan-fry (cook in a small amount of oil until surface is browned)

consists of

2.1 丷 bā — divide/separate, the number eight
丷 is a component in 24 characters
HSK 1
关 guān to close; to shut 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 半 bàn one half; half (used before the measure word when there is no whole number, or after when there is) 商 shāng to discuss, to consult with others 来 lái to come (toward the speaker), opposite of 去
HSK 2
旁 páng side; nearby
HSK 3
南 nán south (one of the four cardinal directions, opposite of north) 平 píng flat; level; even (like the surface of still water) 总 zǒng to gather together, to assemble
HSK 4
产 chǎn to give birth 并 bìng to merge; to combine into one 幸 xìng happy; fortunate 首 shǒu head; skull
HSK 5
善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶)
HSK 6
兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 夹 jiā to clamp; to press from both sides to hold something in place 帝 dì supreme deity or ruler of the universe in religion or mythology
HSK 7
兑 duì exchange (old gold or silver items for new ones at a jewelry shop) 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals) 凿 záo chisel (a hand tool with a blade for carving or boring) 啬 sè miserly, stingy with money or possessions 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+2)
邃 suì deep and distant (of time or space) 隧 suì tunnel; underground or mountain passage
2.2 一 yī — the smallest positive integer; one (①used before a measure word ②used before a noun ③indicates a single action or a brief/tentative action)
一 is a component in 58 characters
HSK 1
下 xià lower position (opposite of 上): ① positioned below (opposite of 上); ② later in order or time; ③ within a certain range, condition, or circumstance 两 liǎng two (used before measure words and 半, 千, 万, 亿) 事 shì matter; affair; everything that happens in nature and society 候 hòu to wait; to await 元 yuán the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368), founded by Kublai Khan
Show more HSK 1 characters (+10)
兴 xīng to be popular; to be in vogue 再 zài twice; a second time 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 天 tiān sky 子 zǐ child (son or daughter in ancient usage); now specifically son 师 shī teacher; instructor (one who imparts knowledge or skills) 本 běn root or stem of a plant 正 zhèng straight; upright (opposite of crooked or tilted) 百 bǎi hundred (the number 100) 贵 guì expensive; of high value (opposite of 贱)
HSK 2
夫 fū general term for an adult man 画 huà to draw or paint (with a brush or similar tool)
HSK 3
其 qí pronoun: ① he, they ② his, their ③ that, those 合 hé to close; to shut; to bring together (opposite of 开) 夏 xià summer (the second of the four seasons) 带 dài ribbon, strip, or belt-shaped object 应 yìng to reply; to answer
Show more HSK 3 characters (+7)
或 huò perhaps; maybe 更 gēng to change; to replace; to substitute 末 mò tip or end of an object 求 qiú to beg, to implore 演 yǎn to evolve; to change gradually 直 zhí straight; not curved (opposite of 曲) 行 xíng to walk; to go
HSK 4
亚 yà inferior (mostly used in negative constructions) 亲 qīn related by blood or marriage; esp. parents 具 jù tool; utensil; implement 咸 xián (lit.) all; everyone (classical adverb) 断 duàn to break into two or more pieces (of something long)
HSK 5
善 shàn kind; benevolent; charitable (opposite of 恶) 威 wēi authority or power that commands awe and respect 旦 dàn dawn; early morning 未 wèi not yet (opposite of 已) 武 wǔ military; martial (opposite of civil/literary "文")
HSK 6
兼 jiān doubled; combining two portions into one 德 dé morality; ethical standards and norms of conduct 拜 bài to bow or salute as a show of respect 灭 miè go out; stop burning or shining (opposite of 着) 衰 shuāi to decline, to weaken
HSK 7
丘 qiū small hill; mound 丙 bǐng third of the ten Heavenly Stems; used to indicate third in order 丛 cóng to cluster together, to gather in a mass 兹 zī (lit., class.) demonstrative pronoun: this; this one 兽 shòu beast; mammal (generally referring to four-legged, fur-covered mammals)
Show more HSK 7 characters (+9)
拯 zhěng to rescue, to save 朱 zhū vermilion, bright red 胚 pēi embryo; organism in early development, formed from fertilized or unfertilized egg 蒙 méng ignorant, lacking knowledge 贮 zhù to store; to stockpile 逆 nì to go in the opposite direction (opposite of 顺) 遣 qiǎn to dispatch; to send 陋 lòu ugly; unsightly 隆 lóng grand; magnificent
2.3 月 yuè — the moon, Earth's natural satellite
月 is a component in 17 characters
HSK 1
前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 明 míng bright; light (opposite of "dark") 朋 péng friend; companion 服 fú clothing; garment 期 qī scheduled date; deadline
HSK 2
望 wàng to look, to look into the distance 阴 yīn the moon (太阴)
HSK 4
钥 yào key 青 qīng black
HSK 5
朝 cháo imperial court; the place where the emperor holds court and issues decrees; also refers to being in power, opposite of '野'
HSK 6
朗 lǎng bright, well-lit
HSK 7
惰 duò lazy, sluggish; opposite of 勤 朦 méng dim, hazy (as in 朦胧: dim moonlight or blurry, indistinct) 甩 shuǎi to swing; to wave 胧 lóng dim moonlight; hazy, indistinct (as in 朦胧) 腾 téng to run or leap
Show more HSK 7 characters (+1)
霸 bà leader of a feudal alliance in ancient China
2.4 刂 dāo — knife/blade radical (right-side form)
刂 is a component in 38 characters
HSK 1
到 dào to arrive; to reach 前 qián front; the direction one faces (opposite of 后) 师 shī teacher; instructor (one who imparts knowledge or skills) 班 bān a group organized for work or study
HSK 2
别 bié to part; to separate
HSK 3
刚 gāng hard; firm (opposite of "soft") 刮 guā to scrape (a surface with a knife or similar tool to remove something) 刷 shuā brush (a tool made of bristles, palm fiber, etc. for cleaning or applying substances) 刻 kè to carve or engrave patterns or characters on bamboo, wood, jade, stone, metal, etc.
HSK 4
划 huà to divide; to differentiate 列 liè to arrange; to list 则 zé rule, regulation, system 判 pàn to separate; to distinguish 利 lì sharp; keen (opposite of 'blunt')
Show more HSK 4 characters (+3)
剧 jù drama; theatrical play 剩 shèng to remain, to be left over 帅 shuài supreme commander of an army; highest military rank
HSK 5
创 chuàng to start; to do for the first time 删 shān to delete (words or phrases from a text) 刺 cì to pierce; to prick (a sharp object entering or passing through something) 副 fù secondary, auxiliary (opposite of 正) 浏 liú (lit.) clear and limpid (of water)
Show more HSK 5 characters (+1)
罚 fá to punish someone for a mistake or crime
HSK 6
刊 kān to delete and revise 刹 shā to brake; to stop (a vehicle, machine, etc.) 剑 jiàn sword (ancient weapon with a long blade sharpened on both edges and a short hilt; in modern fencing, a slender steel blade with no edge and a small ball at the tip) 割 gē to cut with a knife; to separate 竖 shù upright, vertical, perpendicular to the ground (opposite of '横')
HSK 7
刑 xíng criminal punishment; legal penalty imposed by the state on offenders 刨 páo to dig or excavate by striking downward with a pick, hoe, etc. 剂 jì to regulate; to harmonize 剃 tì to shave off (hair, beard, etc.) with a razor 削 xuē same meaning as 削 (xiāo), mostly used in compound words or idioms
Show more HSK 7 characters (+5)
剔 tī to strip or scrape meat from bone 剖 pōu to cut open; to split open 剥 bō same meaning as 剥 (bāo), used in compound words or idioms, e.g. 剥夺, 生吞活剥 荆 jīng chaste tree (a deciduous shrub with long-stalked palmate leaves, blue-purple flowers, and tough branches used for weaving baskets; branches formerly used as a flogging instrument) 辨 biàn to distinguish; to differentiate

Stroke order