前
qián · HSK 1
front
⬅️ 前 = 'forward/front' — top half 丷 + 月 (moon) + 刂 (knife)
Originally depicted a foot 止 above a boat 舟, meaning to advance. Modern 前 keeps the 'forward/before' sense — used for spatial front (前面) and temporal before (以前).
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.