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以前 (yǐ qián) — before; ago; in the past; previously

Definition

以前 (yǐqián) is a general 'before / in the past' — works for both 'ago' (with a time word) and 'previously'. More common in speech than 之前, and less literary than 昔日 or 以往.

noun
beforeagoin the pastpreviously

Examples

  • 以前，。
    Tā yǐ qián shì lǎo shī, xiàn zài bú zuò le.
    He was a teacher before, but he doesn't do it now.
  • 以前。
    Chī fàn yǐ qián yào xǐ shǒu.
    You should wash your hands before eating.
  • 以前，。
    Hěn jiǔ yǐ qián, zhè lǐ yǒu yí piàn sēn lín.
    A long time ago, there was a forest here.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

以yǐprefix
前qiánbefore

The 以 part adds no meaning here, while 前 supplies the sense of before, giving 'before'.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape came from a drawing of a person carrying something; in 以, part of that person is still visible on the right.

Open 以 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In the older form of 前, 止 (foot) and 舟 (boat) showed a foot on a boat moving forward; in the current 前 those parts are shortened.

Open 前 →

Grammar

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 3500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 31000 Most Frequent Chinese WordsTime (Abstract)2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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