前茅

qiánmáo

noun #82,941

Meanings

1 the top of a list; the top ranks
2 vanguard (of an ancient army)

Characters

cogon grass (carried as a signal)

Examples

HSK 4

她的成绩一直名列前茅。

Tā de chéngjì yìzhí míngliè qiánmáo.

Her grades have always been among the best.

HSK 7-9

这所大学在全国排名中位居前茅。

Zhè suǒ dàxué zài quánguó páimíng zhōng wèijū qiánmáo.

This university ranks near the top nationwide.

Tips

history

In the 左传 the 前茅 was the vanguard of the Chu army, which carried 茅 (cogon grass) as a signal to the troops behind. Its modern life is 名列前茅 ‘to rank among the best’.

Stroke Order

前 qián

茅 máo