‘前弄’ (qián lòng) is a compound noun meaning 'front lane' or 'front alley', commonly used in urban or historic residential contexts—especially in older neighborhoods of cities like Shanghai and Ningbo. The character 前 (qián) means 'front' or 'before', indicating position or sequence, while 弄 (lòng) refers to a narrow lane or alleyway, often between rows of traditional shikumen or courtyard houses. Together, they denote the lane situated at the front of a residential compound or complex, distinguishing it from a 'back lane' (后弄, hòu lòng).

This term appears frequently in local addresses, real estate descriptions, and oral directions in certain dialect-influenced Mandarin contexts. It reflects the spatial organization of traditional Chinese housing where compounds have clearly defined front and back access points. Though still understood nationwide, its usage is most natural and frequent in eastern China, particularly in areas with historic lane-based architecture.