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以来 (yǐ lái) — since (a point in time)

Definition

以来 follows a time point to mean 'since (that time) up to now' and works as a noun after 从 / 自 / 自从. 与 自从 (preposition that starts the clause) 不同: 以来 closes the phrase, e.g. 自从…以来.

noun
since (a point in time)

Examples

  • 2000以来，。
    Zì 2000 nián yǐ lái, zhè lǐ biàn de hěn bù yí yàng.
    Since the year 2000, this place has become very different.
  • 以来，。
    Zì cóng tā lái dào gōng sī yǐ lái, gōng zuò yuè lái yuè shùn lì.
    Since he came to the company, work has been going more and more smoothly.
  • 以来，。
    Cóng dà xué bì yè yǐ lái, wǒ yì zhí zài zuò zhè fèn gōng zuò.
    Since graduating from university, I have been doing this job.

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
来láisince

The 以 part adds no meaning here, while 来 supplies the sense of elapsed time, giving 'since'.

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 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 來; 来 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 來 shows a wheat plant: a central ear, upward leaves, and downward stem and roots. The simplified 来 is a later shorthand.

Open 来 →

Grammar

Appears in
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