先前
xiān qián · HSK 5
previously
⏮️ 先前 = first/earlier (先) + front/before (前) — earlier in time
先 means first or prior, 前 means front or before. Together they reinforce each other to mean previously or beforehand. Both characters point backward in time, like saying earlier-earlier for emphasis.
先 — 𠂉 (person variant) on top + 儿 (legs) below
先 originally depicted a person with a foot or step shown above the legs 儿, suggesting someone walking ahead. From this image of going before others came the meanings 'first,' 'earlier,' and 'ahead.' The modern shape preserves the 'legs' radical underneath.
前 — top 丷 + 一 + 月 (moon) + 刂 (knife)
Originally written 歬, depicting a foot 止 above a boat 舟, meaning to advance or go forward. Over time the form evolved and the knife radical 刂 was added, while 止 and 舟 fused into the modern shape. The core meaning 'front, before, ahead' has stayed consistent.