qián
nián
(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

HSK 3

Dictionary

the year before last

Examples

前年我去了一趟北京,玩得很开心。

Qián nián wǒ qù le yī tàng Běijīng, wán de hěn kāixīn.

The year before last, I went to Beijing and had a great time.

Did You Know?

Word Order

Word Formation

前 means 'before' and 年 means 'year'.

Usage Tips

前年 is a time word and goes before the verb: 前年我去中国 (The year before last I went to China).