---
title: "Qianren Meaning: 前任 (qiánrèn) Means “predecessor”"
description: "前任 (qiánrèn) means “predecessor; former (holder of a post)”. Hear its tones, see what 前 and 任 each mean."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qianren"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 前任 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

前任 qiánrèn

## predecessor; former (holder of a post)

## It can also mean

- (coll.) ex (former partner)

## Its characters

1. 前 qián former
2. 任 rèn to appoint

## In a sentence

[See 前任 in use](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E5%89%8D%E4%BB%BB)

## More words with 前 or 任

- [出任 chūrèn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/churen)
- [此前 cǐqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/ciqian)
- [从前 cóngqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/congqian)
- [当前 dāngqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/dangqian)
- [担任 dānrèn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/danren)
- [兼任 jiānrèn](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jianren)
- [面前 miànqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/mianqian)
- [目前 mùqián](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/muqian)
- [前辈 qiánbèi](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qianbei)
- [前方 qiánfāng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qianfang)

## Keep 前任 for Review

A free account keeps it, and Review brings it back just before you’d forget it.

## Look up another word

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