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 attended college, I couldn't write a dissertation.
• 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.
• 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。I arrive at the airport before ten o'clock.
• 开会 以前 ，我 需要 准备 所有 的 材料。Before the meeting I need to prepare all the material.
• 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