Difference between revisions of "Before a specific time with "yiqian""
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As well as talking about the [["Before" in general|past in general]], you can use 以前 (yǐqián) to talk about things that happened before a ''specific'' time. | As well as talking about the [["Before" in general|past in general]], you can use 以前 (yǐqián) to talk about things that happened before a ''specific'' time. | ||
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| + | * <em>十 点</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 在 家。<span class="trans">I am at home before ten o'clock.</span> | ||
* <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>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>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>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>星期 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>开会</em> <strong>以前 </strong>，我们 要 有 一个 计划。<span class="trans">Before the meeting，we need a plan.</span> | |
| − | *<em>开会</em> <strong>以前 </strong>，我们 | + | * <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 | + | * <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> | + | * <em>一 个 月</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 认识 了 我 的 老婆。<span class="trans">A month ago I met my wife.</span> |
| − | *<em>一 个 月</em> <strong>以前</strong>，我 认识 了 我 的 老婆。<span class="trans">A month ago I met my wife.</span> | + | * <em>生 孩子</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 应该 先 结婚。<span class="trans">Before having kids, you should first get married.</span> |
| − | *<em>生 孩子</em> <strong>以前</strong>，你 应该 先 结婚。<span class="trans">Before having kids, you should first get married.</span> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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{{Used for|Referring to the past}} | {{Used for|Referring to the past}} | ||
{{Used for|Sequencing events in time}} | {{Used for|Sequencing events in time}} | ||
| − | {{Basic Grammar|以前|A2|Time / Verb+ 以前| | + | {{Basic Grammar|以前|A2|Time / Verb+ 以前|十 点 <em>以前</em>，我 在 家。|grammar point|ASGJ2OJC}} |
{{Rel char|以}} | {{Rel char|以}} | ||
{{Rel char|前}} | {{Rel char|前}} | ||
Revision as of 09:01, 20 February 2014
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Level
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Similar to
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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
- 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
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
