Before a specific time with "yiqian"

As well as talking about the past in general, you can use 以前 (yǐqián) to talk about things that happened before a specific time.

Structure

Time+ 以前， Subject + Verb + Object

Verb+ 以前， Subject + Verb + Object

The time can be a specific time, or an action (technically, "when the action was done").

Examples

• 上 大学 以前，我 不 会 写 论文。Before I was in college, I couldn't write a dissertation.
• 三点 以前，我 在 咖啡店。Before three o'clock, I'm in the coffeeshop.
• 睡觉 以前，你 不 能 吃 糖。Before I go to sleep, I can't have eat sugar.
• 结婚 以前，我 很 自由。Before I was married, I was free.
• 十点以前，我必须到机场。
• 开会以前 我需要准备所有的材料。
• 三年以前，我来到了上海。
• 吃饭以前，你应该洗手。
• 一个月以前，我认识了我的老婆。
• 生孩子以前，你应该先结婚。

See also

• After a specific time
• "Before" in general
• Before and after with "zhiqian" and "zhihou"

Sources and further reading

• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 260-1) →buy
• Boya Chinese Elementary Starter 2 (博雅汉语初经起步篇) (pp. 11-12) →buy