Usages of qián
比如 考试 前 很多 学生 都 很 紧张， 不知道 怎么 解决 问题。bǐrú kǎoshì qián hěnduō xuéshēng dōu hěn jǐnzhāng, bùzhīdào zěnme jiějué wèntí.
For example, before exams many students are very nervous and don’t know how to solve their problems.
下班 前 我 常常 喝 一点儿 水。xiàbān qián wǒ chángcháng hē yìdiǎnr shuǐ.
Before getting off work, I often drink a little water.
她 出门 前 忘 了 给 手机 充电， 只好 又 回 房间 换 了 一 块 电池。tā chūmén qián wàng le gěi shǒujī chōngdiàn, zhǐhǎo yòu huí fángjiān huàn le yí kuài diànchí.
She forgot to charge her phone before going out, so she had no choice but to go back to the room and change the battery.
我 出门 前 忘 了 关 灯。wǒ chūmén qián wàng le guān dēng.
I forgot to turn off the light before going out.
我 今天 出门 前 差点儿 忘记 带 手机， 还好 后来 想起 了。wǒ jīntiān chūmén qián chàdiǎnr wàngjì dài shǒujī, háihǎo hòulái xiǎngqǐ le.
I almost forgot to bring my phone before going out today; luckily I remembered later.
她 吃 早餐 前 总是 先 洗手， 也 会 用 毛巾 擦 脸。tā chī zǎocān qián zǒngshì xiān xǐshǒu, yě huì yòng máojīn cā liǎn.
Before breakfast, she always washes her hands first and also wipes her face with a towel.
她 出门 前 在 镜子 旁边 找 了 很 久， 才 找到 钥匙。tā chūmén qián zài jìngzi pángbiān zhǎo le hěn jiǔ, cái zhǎodào yàoshi.
Before going out, she searched for a long time by the mirror before finding her keys.
晚上 睡觉 前， 你 最好 看 一下 门 有没有 锁 好。wǎnshang shuìjiào qián, nǐ zuìhǎo kàn yíxià mén yǒuméiyǒu suǒ hǎo.
Before going to bed at night, you’d better check whether the door is locked properly.
要不是 她 出门 前 又 看 了 一下 门 有没有 锁 好， 我 可能 现在 还 在 担心。yàobúshì tā chūmén qián yòu kàn le yíxià mén yǒuméiyǒu suǒ hǎo, wǒ kěnéng xiànzài hái zài dānxīn.
If it weren’t for her checking again before going out whether the door was locked, I’d probably still be worried now.
吃饭 前 请 先 洗手。chīfàn qián qǐng xiān xǐshǒu.
Please wash your hands before eating.
睡觉 前 别 忘记 把 窗帘 拉上。shuìjiào qián bié wàngjì bǎ chuānglián lāshàng.
Don’t forget to draw the curtains before going to sleep.
用 洗衣机 前， 请 看看 洗涤标签、 口袋 和 拉链。yòng xǐyījī qián, qǐng kànkan xǐdíbiāoqiān, kǒudai hé lāliàn.
Before using the washing machine, check the care label, pocket, and zipper.
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