How to Say ‘Before 8 pm.’ in Simplified Chinese
晚上八点前
wǎn shàng bā diǎn qián
[wahn-shahng bah-dyen chyen]
💬 Usage Tip: [前] after a time means "before": [八点前] "before 8 o'clock." Chinese often builds deadlines this way instead of using a separate word like "by."
Phrase Breakdown
晚上
wǎn shàng
[wahn-shahng]
evening; night
Refers to the evening period, often used when giving restaurant times or deadlines.
晚上八点前取消，通常还来得及。
If you cancel before 8 p.m., it is usually still in time.
八点
bā diǎn
[bah-dyen]
eight o'clock
A clock time meaning 8:00, often used to state reservation or cancellation deadlines.
晚上八点前里的“八点”是明确的截止钟点。
In 晚上八点前, 八点 is the specific deadline hour.
前
qián
[chyen]
before
Shows that the action must happen earlier than the stated time.
晚上八点前的“前”表示八点以前。
The 前 in 晚上八点前 means before 8 o'clock.
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