先前 xiānqián before
before; previously
How to remember 先前: 先 first + 前 in front = before.
Characters
How it is used
- Previously, earlier on - 先前的计划 (xiānqián de jìhuà) the earlier plan.
- Close to 以前/之前 but leans slightly literary and points back to a specific prior time rather than 'in the past' generally.
- Often modifies a noun: 先前 + de + noun to mean 'the former/earlier one.'