之前 (zhīqián) · before

之 zhī · of (formal 的)

What 之 is made of

• 丶 — dot

Origin hint: A foot meaning "to follow"; cursive version of 止 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

前 qián · front

What 前 is made of

• 丷ha — kwukyel
  • 丶 — dot
• 一 — horizontal stroke
• 刖yuè — cutting off the feet as a form of punishment
  • 月yuè — moon; month
    • 冂 — frame
    • 二 — two strokes
  • 刂dāo — knife
    • 丨 — vertical stroke
    • 亅 — hook