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  3. Expressing "before" in general with 以前 ("yǐqián")

Expressing "before" in general with 以前 ("yǐqián")

以前 yǐqián

Noun
HSK 2

Structure

以前 + Subj. + Verb + Obj. Subj. + 以前 + Verb + Obj.

Translations

  • says how things were in the past

Definition

表示时间上早于某个参照点，意为“在……之前”或“以前”。

Indicates a time earlier than a reference point, meaning 'before' or 'previously'.

Usage

用于表达一个动作或状态发生在另一个动作或时间点之前。可以单独使用，也可以接时间词或从句。

Used to express that an action or state occurred before another action or point in time. It can be used alone or followed by a time word or clause.

Examples

  • 1 我以前住在这里。 (I used to live here before.)
  • 2 吃饭以前要洗手。 (Wash your hands before eating.)
  • 3 三年以前，我还不会说中文。 (Three years ago, I couldn't speak Chinese.)
  • 4 他以前是老师。 (He was a teacher before.)
  • 5 睡觉以前不要喝咖啡。 (Don't drink coffee before sleeping.)
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