前来 qiánlái to come (formal)
to come (formal); before; previously
How to remember 前来: 前 in front + 来 come = to come (formal).
Characters
How it is used
- To come (toward the speaker/here), formal - 前来参观 (qiánlái cānguān) to come and visit; 欢迎前来 (huānyíng qiánlái) welcome (to come).
- Written/formal counterpart of 来 (lái, to come), often in invitations and notices.
- Direction toward here; contrast 前往 (qiánwǎng, to go there) - 来 vs 往 marks toward vs away.
Example sentences
- 你最好等到警察前来。 Nǐ zuìhǎo děngdào jǐngchá qiánlái.You'd better wait until the police come.