in the past; formerly (n.)
HSK 5
Traditional
從前
Radicals
Stroke order
Examples
从前，这里是一片荒地，现在已经发展成为繁华的城市。 cóngqián, zhèlǐ shì yī piàn huāngdì, xiànzài yǐjīng fāzhǎn chéngwéi fánhuá de chéngshì - In the past, this was a barren land; now it has developed into a bustling city.
他从前是一名优秀的运动员，现在是一位成功的教练。 tā cóngqián shì yī míng yōuxiù de yùndòngyuán, xiànzài shì yī wèi chénggōng de jiàoliàn - He used to be an excellent athlete; now he is a successful coach.
从前，人们靠农业为生。 cóngqián, rénmen kào nóngyè wéi shēng - In the past, people made a living through agriculture.
从前，他们每天都一起去公园散步。 cóngqián, tāmen měitiān dōu yīqǐ qù gōngyuán sànbù - In the past, they used to go for a walk together in the park every day.
这座古老的城市从前是一个重要的商业中心。 zhè zuò gǔlǎo de chéngshì cóngqián shì yīgè zhòngyào de shāngyè zhōngxīn - This ancient city used to be an important commercial center.
Characters
从 cóng - from; follow; comply with | HSK 2
前 qián - move forward, go ahead; former, preceding, pre-, before, past, ago, top; front, future |