How common it is
前来 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say qiánlái slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
前来是一个表示接近或靠近的词语。常用于描述人们从一个地方到另一个地方的行为，比如朋友来访或者顾客到来。
qiánlái shì yí gè biǎoshì jìnjū huò kāngōng de cíyǔ. Cháng yòng wéiyú míngjūn zhōng dēi péngyou láifǎng huò kèzhù dào lái.
前来 is a word that means approaching or getting close to something. It's often used to describe people moving from one place to another, such as friends visiting or customers coming.
Context note
我们可以说，朋友从远方前来。也可以在商店里说顾客前来购物。
wǒmen kěyǐ shuō, péngyou cóng yuǎnfang qiánlái. Yě kěyǐ zài shāngdiàn lǐ shuō kèzhù qiánlái mǎogòu.
We can say that friends come from afar. We can also say in a store that customers come to shop.
5 examples
朋友从远方前来。
péng yǒu cóng yuǎn fāng qián lái。
Friends come from afar.
顾客前来购物。
gù kè qián lái gòu wù。
Customers come to shop.
他从学校前来参加聚会。
tā cóng xué xiào qián lái cān jiā jù huì。
He came from school to attend a party.
商店里的顾客很多，他们都是前来购物的。
shāng diàn lǐ de gù kè hěn duō， tā men dōu shì qián lái gòu wù de。
There are many customers in the store. They all came to shop.
他从家里前来参加聚会。
tā cóng jiā lǐ qián lái cān jiā jù huì。
He came from home to attend a party.
5 mini stories
小明的朋友从远方前来参加聚会。
xiǎo míng de péng yǒu cóng yuǎn fāng qián lái cān jiā jù huì。
Xiaoming's friends came from afar to attend the party.
小红的顾客前来购买她的商品。
xiǎo hóng de gù kè qián lái gòu mǎi tā de shāng pǐn。
Xiaohong's customers came to buy her products.
小华从学校前来参加聚会。
xiǎo huá cóng xué xiào qián lái cān jiā jù huì。
Xiaohua came from school to attend the party.
小李的顾客很多，他们都是前来购买他的商品。
xiǎo lǐ de gù kè hěn duō， tā men dōu shì qián lái gòu mǎi tā de shāng pǐn。
Xiaoli has many customers. They all came to buy his products.
小张从家里前来参加聚会。
xiǎo zhāng cóng jiā lǐ qián lái cān jiā jù huì。
Xiaozhang came from home to attend the party.