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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.

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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