从前 cóngqián previously
previously; formerly; once upon a time
How to remember 从前: 从 from + 前 in front = previously.
Characters
How it is used
- 'In the past, formerly, once upon a time' - 从前有座山 (cóngqián yǒu zuò shān) once there was a mountain (classic story opener).
- Refers to a vaguer, often nostalgic earlier time; contrast 以前 (yǐqián, before/previously), which can attach to a specific point (三年以前).
- 从前 stands alone as 'the old days'; 以前 more often anchors to a reference time.
Example sentences
- 从前有个美丽的公主。 Cóngqián yǒugè měilì de gōngzhǔ.Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess.