前方 qiánfāng ahead
ahead; the front
How to remember 前方: 前 in front + 方 direction = ahead.
Characters
How it is used
- "Ahead, the front" - a slightly formal, often written/spoken-announcement word - 前方施工 (qiánfāng shīgōng) construction ahead, common on road signs and GPS navigation.
- Also used figuratively for the battlefront/front lines in news and military contexts: 前方战士 soldiers at the front.
- In casual speech people usually just say 前面 (qiánmiàn) "in front"; 前方 sounds more formal or announcement-like.
Example sentences
- 邮局就在正前方。 Yóujú jiù zài zhèng qiánfāng.The post office is right in front.