Definition
前缘 (qián yuán) refers to a karmic bond or fate believed to be set in a past life — a concept rooted in Buddhist ideas of reincarnation and destiny. It's often used in romantic contexts to describe a relationship that feels fated or predestined, but can also apply to any deep connection (friendship, acquaintance). Unlike the everyday word 缘分, 前缘 explicitly emphasizes the 'previous existence' angle, carrying a more literary or philosophical tone.
n.
predestined fatekarmic affinity (often from a past life)
Examples
- 前缘。Tāmen xiāngxìn liǎng rén néng xiāngyù shì qián yuán zhùdìng.They believe their meeting was a predestined fate from a past life.
- ，前缘。Suīrán zhǐ jiàn guò yí cì, dàn nà zhǒng gǎnjué xiàng shì qián yuán zài xù.Even though we've only met once, that feeling seems like a continuation of a karmic bond.
- 前缘。Zhè duàn yǒuqíng huòxǔ jiù shì qiánshì de qián yuán.This friendship might well be a karmic bond from a previous life.
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