前不久

qiánbùjiǔ

adverb HSK 7-9 #16,242

Meanings

1 not long ago
2 recently

Characters

before; in front

Literally 'before not long' — meaning it wasn't long before now.

Examples

前不久我去了一趟北京。

Qiánbùjiǔ wǒqù le yí tàng Běijīng.

Not long ago I took a trip to Beijing.

前不久他刚换了工作。

Qiánbùjiǔ tā gāng huàn le gōngzuò.

He just changed jobs recently.

Tips

usage

前不久 is more literary than 最近 (zuìjìn, 'recently'). It specifically points to a past event, whereas 最近 can also refer to the near future. You'll hear 前不久 more in news reports and storytelling.

Stroke Order

前 qián

不 bù

久 jiǔ