adverb HSK 5
Traditional 預先
in advance · beforehand · previously
Meaning
预先 is an adverb meaning to do something ahead of time or in preparation for a future event. It emphasizes planning or action taken before the actual event occurs, conveying a sense of foresight and preparation.
Usage
预先 is commonly used in formal and written contexts, such as business communications, instructions, or announcements. It often appears before verbs to indicate that an action should be completed before something else happens. Native speakers use it to emphasize preparation and proactive planning.
Examples
- 01请预先报名，以便我们安排座位。, .Please register in advance so that we can arrange seating.
- 02他预先做好了充分的准备。.He made thorough preparations beforehand.
Characters
Common collocations
- 预先通知to notify in advance
- 预先安排to arrange in advance
- 预先准备to prepare beforehand
- 预先支付to pay in advance
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters reinforce the meaning of 'before': 预 (yù) means 'in advance' and 先 (xiān) means 'first' or 'earlier', creating a compound that doubly emphasizes advance action.