前言 qiányán preface Origin Definitions Defs Strokes Stroke Words Sentences Sents qiányán preface 前 qián adjectivenumeral first (bound form) first; preceding; top; leading. Used for ranks, lists, or the initial part of a sequence.言 yán noun speech words; talk; what is saidqiányán earlier remarks 前 qián prepositionlocative before (bound form) ago; before; earlier; previously言 yán noun speech words; talk; what is saidqiányán teachings of the ancients 前 qián historical (bound form) used before names of eras or dynasties to indicate an earlier period, such as BC or the Former Han dynasty言 yán theory a school of thought; doctrine; words of a particular teacher or sect