前途
qiántú · HSK 4
future
🛣️ 前 = front/ahead + 途 = road; the road ahead = future prospects
前 means 'front' or 'ahead' and 途 means 'road' or 'route'. Together, 'the road ahead' extends naturally to one's future or prospects in life. Related to 路途 (journey).
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.