qiánhòu

前…后…

Word · Noun · AdverbTraditional前後

front and back; before and after; around; forward and backward

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 7 examples
1.

noun

front and back; before and after; around (a certain time)

Used as a frame with two matched elements to indicate spatial or temporal sequence. Often used in idioms describing surrounding areas or chronological order.

Qián前
jiē街
hòu后
xiàng巷
dōu都
zhǎo找
biàn遍
le了
 ,
hái还
shì是
méi没
yǒu有
zhǎo找
dào到
 。

We searched every front street and back alley, but still couldn't find it.

Jǐng警
fāng方
zhèng正
zài在
diào调
chá查
shì事
jiàn件
de的
qián前
yīn因
hòu后
guǒ果
 。

The police are investigating the cause and effect of the incident.

Show 3 more examples
Tā他
qián前
sī思
hòu后
xiǎng想
le了
hěn很
jiǔ久
 ,
zhōng终
yú于
zuò做
chū出
le了
jué决
dìng定
 。

He thought it over carefully for a long time and finally made a decision.

Nà那
wèi位
míng明
xīng星
qián前
hū呼
hòu后
yōng拥
de地
zǒu走
jìn进
le了
huì会
chǎng场
 。

That celebrity walked into the venue surrounded by attendants.

Tā他
zhè这
gè个
rén人
qián前
jù倨
hòu后
gōng恭
 ,
shí实
zài在
lìng令
rén人
bù不
chǐ齿
 。

This person changed from arrogant to deferential; it's truly despicable.

2.

adverb

forward and backward; to and fro

Describes physical movement in opposite directions, often used to describe swaying, bowing, or rocking motions.

Tā他
xiào笑
de得
qián前
fǔ俯
hòu后
yǎng仰
 ,
chà差
diǎn点
cóng从
yǐ椅
zi子
shàng上
shuāi摔
xià下
lái来
 。

He was bending forward and backward with laughter, almost falling off his chair.

Shù树
zhī枝
zài在
fēng风
xuě雪
zhōng中
qián前
yǎng仰
hòu后
hé合
de地
yáo摇
bǎi摆
zhe着
 。

The branches were swaying back and forth in the snowstorm.