超前 chāoqián to be ahead of one's time
to be ahead of one's time; to surpass or outdo one's predecessors; to be ahead of the pack; to take the lead; advanced
How to remember 超前: 超 jump over + 前 in front = to be ahead of one's time.
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How it is used
- Ahead of the times / ahead of what's normal - 他的观念很超前 (tā de guānniàn hěn chāoqián) his ideas are way ahead of their time.
- Also "done in advance / premature": 超前消费 (chāoqián xiāofèi) spending beyond/ahead of your means (buying on credit).
- Can be praise (visionary) or criticism (getting ahead of reality) depending on context; contrast 提前 (tíqián), which just means to move a scheduled time earlier.