Meanings of 前不久
By ear
Play it, then pick what 前不久 means.
About 前不久
Podcast: 前不久
Podcast: 前不久
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 前不久
最近 (zuìjìn) - use 前不久 when emphasizing a specific recent past event, while 最近 is more general and can refer to the current period.
This phrase is informal and is often used in conversational settings rather than formal writing. Be careful not to confuse it with '不久前' (bù jiǔ qián), which has a similar meaning but slightly different usage in context.
Though not a specific HSK word, understanding 前不久 can enhance your grasp of time expressions in conversational Mandarin. Focus on associating this phrase with other time-related vocabulary to improve your fluency.
Learners often mix up 前不久 with 以前 (yǐ qián), which means 'before' in a broader sense. Remember, 前不久 specifically indicates a recent time frame, so saying '我前不久去了那里' (I went there before) is incorrect; it should be '我前不久去了那里'.
Pronunciation of 前不久
Drill the tone of 前不久, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 前不久 to you
Let me explain 前不久 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 前不久 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 前不久?
Learning Lab
Knowing 前不久 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 not long ago in Chinese
“not long ago” in Chinese is前不久
前不久 refers to a time in the recent past, indicating that something happened not long ago. It is commonly used in conversation to reference events or actions that occurred shortly before the current moment, providing context for discussions related to past occurrences.
When to use 前不久
This phrase is informal and is often used in conversational settings rather than formal writing. Be careful not to confuse it with '不久前' (bù jiǔ qián), which has a similar meaning but slightly different usage in context.
前不久 or something close to it
最近 (zuìjìn) - use 前不久 when emphasizing a specific recent past event, while 最近 is more general and can refer to the current period.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 前不久 with 以前 (yǐ qián), which means 'before' in a broader sense. Remember, 前不久 specifically indicates a recent time frame, so saying '我前不久去了那里' (I went there before) is incorrect; it should be '我前不久去了那里'.
Write 前不久
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 前不久 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 前不久?
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 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 前不久
It's best to avoid using 前不久 in formal writing, as it is more suited for spoken language.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 前不久?
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.