前后 qiánhòu around
around; from beginning to end; all around; front and rear
How to remember 前后: 前 in front + 后 back = around.
Characters
How it is used
- After a time expression, means "around, approximately" - 春节前后 (Chūnjié qiánhòu) around Chinese New Year, 十点前后 around 10 o'clock.
- Literally also means "front and back" spatially - 前后都有门 there are doors front and back.
- For approximating time, 前后 goes after the time word (春节前后), while 左右 (zuǒyòu) can follow either a time or a quantity (三点左右, 十个左右) - the two overlap for time but only 左右 works for amounts.