n.
before; ago; formerly
以前
before; ago; formerly
Before, in the past, or previously (以 by + 前 before/front); marks past time periods: 以前我不知道 (previously I didn't know).
Common Usage & Traps
- 以前的事 — things from the past; past matters
- 很久以前 — a long time ago
- 三天以前 — three days ago
- 以前住在这儿 — used to live here
- 吃饭以前 — before eating
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以前三天三天以前For 'three days ago', the time length comes before 以前. 以前三天 sounds like broken word order.
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我住以前在北京我以前住在北京以前 is a time expression and usually goes before the verb, not after it.
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以前的时候以前的时候 repeats the past-time meaning. Use 以前 alone, or 那个时候 if you need a chunk.
Why does Chinese say 以前是有...习惯的 instead of just 以前有...习惯?
是……的 isn't required by 以前; it adds a 'here's the explanation' focus.
以前 does not force 是……的. You add 是……的 when you want to explain or emphasize a past fact. Plain 以前有... just states that the habit existed. The story's line sounds like it is answering 'Did old Beijingers go to teahouses?'
“很多老北京以前是有去茶馆儿喝茶的习惯的。” (Many old-time Beijingers used to have the habit of going to teahouses for tea.)
“很多老北京以前是有去茶馆儿喝茶的习惯的。” (Many old-time Beijingers used to have the habit of going to teahouses for tea.)
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Plain past fact | 以前有喝茶的习惯。 | 以前是有喝茶的习惯的。 (the extra 是……的 can sound heavy if no explanation is needed) |
| Focused explanation | 以前是有喝茶的习惯的。 | 以前是有喝茶的习惯 (if you mean the 是……的 pattern, keep the final 的) |
Do you say 以前三天 or 三天以前 for 'three days ago'?
Three days ago is 三天以前; 以前三天 sounds like broken word order.
For 'three days ago', Chinese says 三天以前. The time length comes before 以前. For 'before an event', Chinese also puts the event first: 吃饭以前. For general 'previously', 以前 goes before the verb or subject: 我以前住在那儿.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Counting back | 三天以前 | 以前三天 |
| Before an event | 吃饭以前 | 以前吃饭 (for 'before eating') |
| General previously | 我以前住在那儿。 | 我住以前在那儿。 |
Can you say 以前的时候 for 'back then'?
Usually no. 以前 already means 'in the past,' so 的时候 is dead weight.
以前 already marks past time, so 的时候 adds nothing. In casual speech you may hear 以前的时候, but it sounds wordy. Use 以前 for 'back then' or 那个时候 when you need a chunk.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Simple past | 以前 | 以前的时候 |
| Specific past period | 那个时候 | 以前的时候 |
| Contrast with now | 以前...，现在... | 以前的时候...，现在的时候... |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Real context sentences across different daily scenarios and graded readings.
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
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朋友跟他开玩笑说：“你 以前 一直待在东山，现在终于愿意出来重新开始了。”
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
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很多老北京 以前 是有去茶馆儿喝茶的习惯的。
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