Difference between revisions of "Before a specific time with "yiqian""
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| − | * <em>上 大学</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 不 会 | + | * <em>上 大学</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 不 会 说 中文。<span class="trans">Before I attended college, I couldn't speak Chinese.</span> |
| − | * <em> | + | * <em>三 点</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 在 咖啡店。<span class="trans">Before three o'clock, I'm in the coffee shop.</span> |
* <em>睡觉</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 不 能 吃 糖。<span class="trans">Before going to sleep, you can't eat sugar.</span> | * <em>睡觉</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 不 能 吃 糖。<span class="trans">Before going to sleep, you can't eat sugar.</span> | ||
| − | * <em> | + | * <em>周 五</em> <strong>以前</strong>，要 做 完 你 的 工作。<span class="trans">Before Friday, you need to finish your work.</span> |
| − | *<em> | + | *<em>十 点</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 必须 到 机场。<span class="trans">I arrive at the airport before ten o'clock.</span> |
| − | *<em>开会</em> <strong>以前 </strong> | + | *<em>开会</em> <strong>以前 </strong>，我们 需要 一个 计划。<span class="trans">Before the meeting，we need a plan.</span> |
*<em>三 年</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 来到 了 上海。<span class="trans">Three years ago I came to Shanghai.</span> | *<em>三 年</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 来到 了 上海。<span class="trans">Three years ago I came to Shanghai.</span> | ||
*<em>吃饭</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 应该 洗 手。<span class="trans">Before eating, you should wash your hands.</span> | *<em>吃饭</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 应该 洗 手。<span class="trans">Before eating, you should wash your hands.</span> | ||
Revision as of 05:43, 25 December 2013
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Level
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Used for
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Keywords
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 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.
- 周 五 以前，要 做 完 你 的 工作。Before Friday, you need to finish your work.
- 十 点 以前，我 必须 到 机场。I arrive at the airport before ten o'clock.
- 开会 以前 ，我们 需要 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
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
