preamble
Definitions
An introductory section at the start of a formal document, law, or treaty, stating its purpose or principles.
序言，前言（正式文件、法律或条约开头说明宗旨或原则的部分）。
A preliminary or introductory statement; opening remarks before the main point.
开场白，铺垫（说到正题前的引子）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedpre- (before) + ambul (walk) = 'a walking-before.' Before you walk onto the main road of a document or speech, you pass through an opening passage first. That introductory stretch — stating purpose or setting the scene — is the preamble.
Root ambul still carries 4 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.the preamble to the constitution宪法序言
- 2.without preamble开门见山，不绕弯子
- 3.a lengthy preamble冗长的开场白
- 4.preamble to a treaty条约序言
Example Sentences
- 1.
The preamble to the constitution sets out the nation's founding ideals.
- 2.
She got straight to business, without any preamble.
- 3.
After a long preamble about the weather, he finally asked for the loan.
Easily Confused
preamble vs introduction — Both open a text, but a preamble is formal and declarative, stating why a law or treaty exists (the Constitution's preamble). An introduction is broader and explanatory, easing the reader into any kind of writing. You wouldn't call a novel's opening a 'preamble,' and a legal document's opening is rarely just an 'introduction.'