Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== tíqián: 提前 - In Advance, Ahead of Time, Early ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** tiqian, 提前, in advance, ahead of time, do something early, Chinese adverb for advance, before the deadline, schedule early, Chinese grammar * **Summary:** Learn how to use the essential Chinese word **提前 (tíqián)**, which means "in advance," "ahead of time," or "to do something early." This page breaks down its meaning, cultural importance, and practical usage in everyday life, from booking tickets to finishing work before a deadline. Understanding **提前 (tíqián)** is key to sounding more natural and grasping the Chinese cultural emphasis on planning and preparedness. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tíqián * **Part of Speech:** Adverb, Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To move an action or event to an earlier time than originally planned or expected. * **In a Nutshell:** **提前 (tíqián)** is all about shifting things forward on a timeline. Think of it as the opposite of "delaying" or "postponing." If you have a deadline, and you finish before it, you've completed it **提前**. If you need to book a flight for next month, you do it **提前**. It's a fundamental concept for scheduling, planning, and being proactive in Chinese. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **提 (tí):** The character 提 originally depicted a hand (扌) and a bird (是 was originally a phonetic component), and it means "to lift," "to carry," or "to raise." Think of lifting something up. * **前 (qián):** This character signifies "front," "forward," or "before." The top part can be seen as a foot (止) moving forward. * When combined, **提前 (tíqián)** literally means "to lift to the front." Imagine a queue or a timeline; you are lifting an activity out of its scheduled spot and moving it to the front. This beautifully illustrates the meaning of doing something "in advance." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, planning and preparedness are highly valued. Doing things **提前 (tíqián)** is not just a matter of logistics; it's often seen as a sign of being responsible (负责 fùzé), considerate, and reliable (靠谱 kàopǔ). The concept stands in contrast to the idea of "leaving things to the last minute." For example, in a Western context, arriving "fashionably late" might be acceptable in some social settings. In China, however, especially for formal occasions like business meetings or important dinners, arriving **提前** (e.g., 5-10 minutes early) is the norm and shows respect. Similarly, giving people ample notice (**提前通知 tíqián tōngzhī**) is a cornerstone of polite social and professional interaction. This cultural preference for acting **提前** helps to ensure harmony and avoid unforeseen problems or chaos (乱 luàn), which are things Chinese culture generally seeks to minimize. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **提前 (tíqián)** is an extremely common word used in countless daily situations. It almost always precedes the verb it modifies. * **Travel and Appointments:** Used for booking tickets, hotel rooms, or making reservations far before the date. * e.g., "You must book train tickets in advance during the Spring Festival." (春节火车票要**提前**买。) * **Work and Study:** Refers to completing assignments, projects, or preparations before the deadline. * e.g., "She finished the report two days ahead of schedule." (她**提前**两天完成了报告。) * **Notifications and Communication:** Used when giving someone a heads-up or prior notice. * e.g., "If you can't come, please let me know in advance." (如果你不能来，请**提前**告诉我。) * **As a Verb (To move up/reschedule earlier):** Sometimes, it can function more directly as a verb meaning "to move up" a scheduled event. * e.g., "The meeting has been moved up to 3 PM." (会议**提前**到下午三点了。) Its connotation is almost always positive or neutral, implying foresight and efficiency. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 为了买到便宜的机票，我们必须**提前**预订。 * Pinyin: Wèile mǎi dào piányi de jīpiào, wǒmen bìxū **tíqián** yùdìng. * English: In order to get cheap plane tickets, we must book in advance. * Analysis: A classic usage. **提前** here modifies the verb 预订 (yùdìng, to book), indicating the action should be done well before the travel date. * **Example 2:** * 他**提前**完成了这个月的销售任务。 * Pinyin: Tā **tíqián** wánchéngle zhège yuè de xiāoshòu rènwù. * English: He completed this month's sales targets ahead of schedule. * Analysis: Here, **提前** emphasizes that the completion happened before the end-of-month deadline, highlighting his efficiency. * **Example 3:** * 如果计划有变，请**提前**通知我们。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ jìhuà yǒu biàn, qǐng **tíqián** tōngzhī wǒmen. * English: If the plan changes, please notify us in advance. * Analysis: This is a very common and polite request in both business and social contexts. It shows consideration for others' time. * **Example 4:** * 考试周快到了，我得**提前**开始复习。 * Pinyin: Kǎoshì zhōu kuài dào le, wǒ děi **tíqián** kāishǐ fùxí. * English: Exam week is almost here, I have to start reviewing early. * Analysis: **提前** is used here to mean starting an activity (reviewing) earlier than one might otherwise, relative to the upcoming event (exams). * **Example 5:** * 祝你**提前**退休，享受生活！ * Pinyin: Zhù nǐ **tíqián** tuìxiū, xiǎngshòu shēnghuó! * English: Wishing you an early retirement to enjoy life! * Analysis: A good example showing **提前** used with major life events. "Early retirement" is a direct translation of **提前退休**. * **Example 6:** * 由于天气原因，航班**提前**半小时起飞了。 * Pinyin: Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, hángbān **tíqián** bàn xiǎoshí qǐfēi le. * English: Due to weather, the flight took off half an hour early. * Analysis: This shows the structure **提前 + [Time Duration] + [Verb]**. It quantifies exactly how far in advance the action occurred. * **Example 7:** * 宝宝**提前**一个月出生了，不过很健康。 * Pinyin: Bǎobao **tíqián** yī ge yuè chūshēng le, bùguò hěn jiànkāng. * English: The baby was born one month early, but is very healthy. * Analysis: This demonstrates how **提前** can be used for events that happen naturally, not just planned actions. * **Example 8:** * 原本的会议被**提前**到了周三。 * Pinyin: Yuánběn de huìyì bèi **tíqián** dào le zhōusān. * English: The original meeting was moved up to Wednesday. * Analysis: Here, **提前** is used with 到 (dào) to indicate the new, earlier time. This is a common pattern for rescheduling. * **Example 9:** * 为了避免交通堵塞，我们最好**提前**出门。 * Pinyin: Wèile bìmiǎn jiāotōng dǔsè, wǒmen zuìhǎo **tíqián** chūmén. * English: To avoid the traffic jam, we'd better leave home early. * Analysis: A perfect example of proactive planning in daily life. You leave earlier than necessary to prevent a future problem. * **Example 10:** * 这本书可以**提前**还吗？ * Pinyin: Zhè běn shū kěyǐ **tíqián** huán ma? * English: Can I return this book early (before the due date)? * Analysis: A simple, practical question you might ask at a library. **提前** modifies 还 (huán, to return). ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between **提前 (tíqián)** and **早 (zǎo)**. * **早 (zǎo)** means "early" in an absolute sense, usually referring to an early time of day. * e.g., 我今天早上起得很**早**。(Wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang qǐ de hěn **zǎo**.) - I woke up very **early** this morning. * **提前 (tíqián)** means "early" relative to a schedule, deadline, or expected time. It means "ahead of schedule." **Common Mistake:** Using **提前** to say you woke up early in the morning. * **Incorrect:** 我今天**提前**起床了。(Wǒ jīntiān **tíqián** qǐchuáng le.) * **Why it's wrong:** This sentence implies you woke up before a scheduled alarm or event. If you just mean you woke up at 5 AM instead of your usual 7 AM, you should use 早. * **Correct:** 我今天起得**很早**。(Wǒ jīntiān qǐ de hěn **zǎo**.) In short: use **早** for "early in the day," and use **提前** for "early for an appointment/deadline." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[推迟]] (tuīchí) - The direct antonym of **提前**. It means to postpone or delay an event to a later time. * [[早]] (zǎo) - A related concept meaning "early," but typically refers to time of day rather than being ahead of a schedule. * [[预订]] (yùdìng) - A verb often paired with **提前**, meaning "to book in advance" or "to reserve." * [[安排]] (ānpái) - To arrange or plan. Successful arrangement often requires doing things **提前**. * [[准时]] (zhǔnshí) - To be on time, punctual. Acting **提前** is a good way to ensure you are **准时**. * [[临时]] (línshí) - An antonymic concept meaning "last-minute" or "temporary." An action done **临时** is the opposite of one done **提前**. * [[事先]] (shìxiān) - A very close synonym, meaning "in advance" or "beforehand." It's often interchangeable with **提前** when talking about giving notice or making preparations. **提前** is slightly more common and can also specify a time duration (e.g., 提前一小时).