…前后
around (a date, a time or an event)
Structure
时间点／事件 前后
What it means
'Around (a date, a time or an event)': a little before or a little after a point in time.
How it is built
Time point or event + 前后: 国庆节前后，景点到处都是人 (around National Day the tourist sights are packed). Also 立春前后, 毕业前后, 晚上八点前后.
When to use it
Neutral, for dates, festivals and life events. 左右 needs a number, so it suits lengths of time (十五天左右) but not events like 春节.
Watch out
前后 follows a point in time, not a length: ✗十五天前后。 ✓十五天左右。 After an event it is 前后, not 左右: ✗春节左右。 ✓春节前后。
Examples
清明前后，种瓜点豆。
Around Qingming, plant melons and beans.
国庆节前后，景点到处都是人。
Around National Day the tourist sights are packed.
Learn this in Lesson 215 · HSK 9+: 二十四节气 (The 24 solar terms)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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