noun HSK 5
Traditional 前輩
qián bèi
senior · elder · predecessor · person of a previous generation

Meaning

前辈 refers to someone who is more experienced, senior in age or position, or who came before you in a particular field or organization. It carries respectful connotations and is commonly used to show deference to those with more experience or seniority.

Usage

This term is widely used in professional, academic, and social contexts to address or refer to people who have more experience or higher status. It's a polite and respectful way to acknowledge someone's seniority. Common in workplace settings when junior employees refer to senior colleagues, or in any field when discussing pioneers or those who came before.

Examples

  1. 01
    我要向公司的前辈们多学习经验。
    yào xiàng gōng de qián bèi men duō xué jīng yàn.
    I need to learn more from the seniors in the company.
  2. 02
    这位前辈在这个领域工作了二十多年。
    Zhè wèi qián bèi zài zhè ge lǐng gōng zuò le èr shí duō nián.
    This senior has worked in this field for over twenty years.

Characters

Measure words

  • wèi一位前辈

Common collocations

  • 尊敬前辈
    zūn jìng qián bèi
    to respect one's seniors
  • 前辈学习
    xiàng qián bèi xué
    to learn from one's seniors
  • 前辈
    qián bèi men
    seniors (plural)

Antonyms

Origin

The word literally combines 前 (before/previous) and 辈 (generation), meaning 'the generation that came before' or 'those who preceded us.'

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