Meanings of 预先
By ear
Play it, then pick what 预先 means.
About 预先
Podcast: 预先
Podcast: 预先
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 预先
预先 (yùxiān) vs 提前 (tíqián): use 预先 for formal contexts or when emphasizing preparation, while 提前 is more casual and often refers to doing something earlier than planned.
Be careful not to confuse 预先 with 先 (xiān) alone, which can mean 'first' but lacks the anticipatory nuance. It is more formal and commonly used in written contexts or official communications. A frequent collocation is 预先通知 (yùxiān tōngzhī), meaning 'to notify in advance.'
As HSK Level 6 vocabulary, 预先 connects well with other words related to time and planning, such as 提前 (tíqián, 'to do something ahead of time'). Focus on using it in sentences that emphasize preparation or prior notification.
Learners often mistakenly use 预先 in casual conversation, where simpler terms like 先 might be more appropriate. For example, saying 预先去商店 (yùxiān qù shāngdiàn) is awkward; instead, use 先去商店 (xiān qù shāngdiàn).
Pronunciation of 预先
Drill the tone of 预先 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 预先 to You
Let me explain 预先 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 预先 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 预先?
Learning Lab
Knowing 预先 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say beforehand in Chinese
“beforehand” in Chinese is预先
预先 (yùxiān) means 'beforehand' or 'in advance,' and is commonly used to indicate actions or arrangements that are made prior to an event. It is often found in contexts related to planning, preparation, or notifications.
When to use 预先
Be careful not to confuse 预先 with 先 (xiān) alone, which can mean 'first' but lacks the anticipatory nuance. It is more formal and commonly used in written contexts or official communications. A frequent collocation is 预先通知 (yùxiān tōngzhī), meaning 'to notify in advance.'
预先 or something close to it
预先 (yùxiān) vs 提前 (tíqián): use 预先 for formal contexts or when emphasizing preparation, while 提前 is more casual and often refers to doing something earlier than planned.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 预先 in casual conversation, where simpler terms like 先 might be more appropriate. For example, saying 预先去商店 (yùxiān qù shāngdiàn) is awkward; instead, use 先去商店 (xiān qù shāngdiàn).
Write 预先
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 预先 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 预先
预先 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
你可以____调好暖气，使它在你需要的时候启动。
You can preset the radiators to come on when you need them to.
Example Sentences for 预先 (2)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 预先?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 预先
You can say 预先安排好一切 (yùxiān ānpái hǎo yīqiè), which means 'arrange everything in advance.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 预先?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.