(céng) — once; ever (indicating a past experience)

Definition

Shortened form of 曾经 — same meaning, used before a verb in writing or speech. Unlike 已经 ('already'), it focuses on past experience, not completion.

adverb
onceever (indicating a past experience)

Examples

  • Tā céng zài běi jīng xué guò zhōng wén.
    He once studied Chinese in Beijing.
  • Nǐ céng tīng shuō guò zhè ge chuán shuō ma?
    Have you ever heard of this legend?
  • Wǒ céng zài yì suǒ dà xué jiào guò shū.
    I once taught at a university.

Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.