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前线 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
前线qiánxiànfront lineHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7398, Very Hard
前线qiánxiànmilitary frontHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7398, Very Hard
前线qiánxiànworkfaceHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7398, Very Hard
前线qiánxiàncutting edgeHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #7398, Very Hard
qiánxiàn(qian2xian4)qian xian T2
  1. 1front line
  2. 2military front
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March 24, 2026

前线(前線)qiánxiàn(qian2xian4)

前线 (qiánxiàn) refers to the forefront or the most advanced position in a particular context, often used in military terminology to describe the front line of a battlefield. It can also denote the cutting edge in various fields, such as technology or industry, where innovation and activity are concentrated.

Strokes17Frequency#7398DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The term 前线 is often heard in discussions about military strategies and is a common term in news reports related to conflicts. It reflects China's historical emphasis on military readiness and national defense.

Memory tip

Imagine a soldier standing at the 'front' (前) of a line (线). Visualize this soldier as the first to know about the latest developments, signifying that '前线' is where action occurs and trends begin.

Meanings of 前线

qiánxiàn(qian2xian4)
1front line
2military front
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 前线

前线Simplified
前線Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

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Podcast: 前线

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AI study notes for 前线

Quick Contrast

前沿 (qiányán) refers to the forefront of a field or area of study, while 前线 (qiánxiàn) specifically denotes the front line in a military context.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 前线 with 线路 (xiànlù), which means 'route' or 'line.' This term is more formal and often used in military or professional contexts. Remember that the second character '线' should be pronounced with a falling tone, which is critical for clarity.

HSK Study Tips

While 前线 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it connects to HSK vocabulary related to military and technology contexts, such as 战争 (zhànzhēng - war) and 技术 (jìshù - technology). Focus on understanding its usage in specific contexts to enhance comprehension.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly mix up 前线 with 前排 (qiánpái), meaning 'front row.' Remember, 前线 specifically refers to a front line in contexts like military or cutting-edge technology, not just any front position.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 前线

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Component characters

前qiánfront
HSK 19 strokes刂
View full entry
线xiànthread
HSK 68 strokes纟
View full entry

How to say front line in Chinese

“front line” in Chinese is前线qiánxiàn

前线 (qiánxiàn) refers to the forefront or the most advanced position in a particular context, often used in military terminology to describe the front line of a battlefield. It can also denote the cutting edge in various fields, such as technology or industry, where innovation and activity are concentrated.

When to use 前线

Be cautious not to confuse 前线 with 线路 (xiànlù), which means 'route' or 'line.' This term is more formal and often used in military or professional contexts. Remember that the second character '线' should be pronounced with a falling tone, which is critical for clarity.

前线 or something close to it

前沿 (qiányán) refers to the forefront of a field or area of study, while 前线 (qiánxiàn) specifically denotes the front line in a military context.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly mix up 前线 with 前排 (qiánpái), meaning 'front row.' Remember, 前线 specifically refers to a front line in contexts like military or cutting-edge technology, not just any front position.

Write 前线

前
线

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Frequently asked questions about 前线

Yes, you can use 前线 to describe the cutting edge of technology or innovation in business.

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