以前
yǐqián
Before, previously
How to say “before” a time in Chinese with 以前 (yǐqián)
Time / Verb + 以前 (yǐqián)
以前 (yǐ qián) — before a time
HSK 1Nouns
Time / Verb + 以前 (yǐqián)
HSK 1Nouns以前 (yǐ qián) — before a time
Rule structure
The word 以前 (yǐqián), meaning "before", "prior to", or "…ago", always follows a specific time or event reference. It can also be used alone to mean "in the past".
Rule structure
The word 以前 (yǐqián), meaning "before", "prior to", or "…ago", always follows a specific time or event reference. It can also be used alone to mean "in the past".
Examples
十年以前我来过这里。
Shí nián yǐqián wǒ lái guo zhèlǐ.
I came here ten years ago.
一个月以前我学过汉字。
Yīgèyuè yǐqián wǒ xué guò hànzì.
A month ago I studied characters.
吃饭以前要洗手。
Chīfàn yǐqián yào xǐshǒu.
Before eating, you should wash your hands.
Examples
十年以前我来过这里。
Shí nián yǐqián wǒ lái guo zhèlǐ.
I came here ten years ago.
一个月以前我学过汉字。
Yīgèyuè yǐqián wǒ xué guò hànzì.
A month ago I studied characters.
吃饭以前要洗手。
Chīfàn yǐqián yào xǐshǒu.
Before eating, you should wash your hands.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “before a time” in Chinese with 以前?
Use the structure: Time / Verb + 以前 (yǐqián). For example: 十年以前我来过这里。 — “I came here ten years ago”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
十年以前我来过这里。 — “I came here ten years ago”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 1.
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More HSK 1 grammar rules
时间 — time words and word order
Subj. + Time … / Time + Subj. …
以后 — after a time or action
Time / Verb + 以后 (yǐhòu)
是 — “is” in Chinese
A + 是 (shì) + B
来 vs 去 — coming and going
来 (lái) / 去 (qù) + Place
星期 — days of the week
星期 (xīngqī) + Number
在 — actions in progress
(正 (zhèng)) 在 (zài) + Verb
会 — will, going to
会 (huì) + Verb
在 — location before verbs
Subj. + 在 (zài) + Place + Verb