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

• 十 点 以前，我 在 家。I am at home before ten o'clock.
• 上 大学 以前，我 不 会 说 中文。Before I attended college, I couldn't speak Chinese.
• 三 点 以前，我 在 咖啡店。Before three o'clock, I'm in the coffee shop.
• 睡觉 以前，你 不 能 吃 糖。Before going to sleep, you can't eat sugar.
• 星期 五 以前，要 做 完 你 的 工作。Before Friday, you need to finish your work.
• 开会 以前 ，我们 要 有 一个 计划。Before the meeting，we need a plan.
• 三 年 以前，我 来 到 了 上海。Three years ago I came to Shanghai.
• 吃 饭 以前，你 应该 洗 手。Before eating, you should wash your hands.
• 一 个 月 以前，我 认识 了 我 的 老婆。A month ago I met my wife.
• 生 孩子 以前，你 应该 先 结婚。Before having kids, you should first get married.

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