预先

预先 means 'in advance' or 'beforehand,' indicating that something is done prior to a specific time or event. It emphasizes preparation or anticipation, often used in contexts involving planning or scheduling.

The character 预 (yù) originally meant 'to forecast' or 'to predict,' while 先 (xiān) means 'before' or 'earlier.' Together, they convey the idea of taking action before something happens, reflecting a proactive approach.

预先 is commonly used in formal and informal settings, such as in business, travel, or daily life. For example, you might say 预先安排 (yù xiān ān pái) to mean 'arrange in advance.' It is also found in phrases like 预先通知 (yù xiān tōng zhī), which means 'notify in advance.'