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前后 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
前后qiánhòuaroundHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9493, Medium
前后qiánhòufrom beginning to endHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9493, Medium
前后qiánhòuall aroundHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9493, Medium
前后qiánhòufront and rearHSK 4, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #9493, Medium
qiánhòu(qian2hou4) T2
  1. 1around
  2. 2from beginning to end
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

前后(前後)qiánhòu(qian2hou4)

前后 (qián hòu) refers to the concepts of 'front and back' or 'before and after.' It can describe the entirety of a situation or event, indicating both the beginning and end. This term is often used in discussions about time, sequence, or spatial orientation.

Strokes15Frequency#9493DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, understanding the concept of time as cyclical rather than linear can be reflected in the use of 前后, emphasizing the importance of both beginnings and endings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person standing at a crossroads, looking both forwards (前) and backwards (后). The character 前 resembles a person walking forward, while 后 has a sense of looking back. Picture this person navigating their path, aware of both directions.

Meanings of 前后

qiánhòu(qian2hou4)
1around
2from beginning to end
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 前后

前后Simplified
前後Traditional
15Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 前后

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Podcast: 前后

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AI Study Notes for 前后

Quick Contrast

前 (front) vs 后 (back) — use 前后 for combined reference to both aspects.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse the order of characters when using this phrase, mistakenly saying '后前' instead of '前后.' It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about time or organization.

HSK Study Tips

Although this word is not a specific HSK vocabulary item, it can be seen at HSK 3 or 4 levels depending on the context. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in sentence structures that indicate sequence or spatial relationships.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using '前后' in a context where '之前' or '之后' would be more appropriate, like saying '我前后去过北京' (I have been to Beijing before and after) instead of '我之前去过北京.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 前后

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Component Characters

前qiánfront
HSK 19 strokes刂
View full entry
后hòuempress
HSK 16 strokes口
View full entry

How to say around in Chinese

“around” in Chinese is前后qiánhòu

前后 (qián hòu) refers to the concepts of 'front and back' or 'before and after.' It can describe the entirety of a situation or event, indicating both the beginning and end. This term is often used in discussions about time, sequence, or spatial orientation.

When to use 前后

Learners often confuse the order of characters when using this phrase, mistakenly saying '后前' instead of '前后.' It's typically used in both formal and informal contexts, especially in discussions about time or organization.

前后 or something close to it

前 (front) vs 后 (back) — use 前后 for combined reference to both aspects.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is using '前后' in a context where '之前' or '之后' would be more appropriate, like saying '我前后去过北京' (I have been to Beijing before and after) instead of '我之前去过北京.'

Write 前后

前
后

Practice writing 前后 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Common Confusions with 前后

前后vs前
qián

Similar shape and pronunciation, but different meanings.

前后vs后
hòu

Similar shape and pronunciation, but different meanings.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "around"?

or

Frequently Asked Questions about 前后

Yes, 前后 can refer to both physical positions and abstract sequences, such as events or time.

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