前沿 qiányán forward position
(military) forward position; frontier; cutting-edge; forefront
How to remember 前沿: 前 in front + 沿 to follow a course = forward position.
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How it is used
- The cutting edge / frontier of a field - 科技前沿 (kējì qiányán) the technological frontier; 站在时代前沿 at the forefront of the era.
- Also the military sense (forward line), but the 'cutting-edge' use dominates in tech, research, business.
- Attributive: 前沿技术/领域 (cutting-edge technology/field).