提前 tíqián shift to an earlier date
shift to an earlier date; bring forward; to advance
How to remember 提前: 提 carry + 前 in front = shift to an earlier date.
Characters
How it is used
- To do something ahead of schedule / in advance - 提前到 (tíqián dào) arrive early; 提前一天 (tíqián yì tiān) a day earlier.
- Means moving an action earlier than planned; often 提前 + time span + verb.
- Opposite 推迟 (tuīchí) 'to postpone'. Contrast 早 (zǎo), which is just 'early' absolutely; 提前 implies earlier than a set schedule - 推迟会议 (tuīchí huìyì) postpone the meeting.
Example sentences
- 我会让你提前知道。 Wǒhuì ràng nǐ tíqián zhīdào.I will let you know in advance.
- 她提前一小时完成了工作。 Tā tíqián yī xiǎoshí wánchéng le gōngzuò.She finished her work an hour in advance.
- 他提前到了餐厅。 Tā tíqián dàole cāntīng.He arrived at the restaurant in advance.