Before a specific time with "yiqian"

Revision as of 06:19, 18 June 2015 by Liza (talk | contribs)

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 。 Shí diǎn yǐqián, wǒ zài jiā. I will be at home before ten o'clock.
  • 上 大学 以前 , 我 不 会 说 中文 。 Shàng dàxué yǐqián, wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōngwén. Before I attended college, I couldn't speak Chinese.
  • 三 点 以前 , 我 在 咖啡店 。 Sān diǎn yǐqián, wǒ zài kāfēidiàn. Before three o'clock, I'll be in the coffee shop.
  • 睡觉 以前 , 你 不 能 吃 糖 。 Shuìjiào yǐqián, nǐ bù néng chī táng. Before going to sleep, you can't eat sugar.
  • 星期 五 以前 , 要 做 完 你 的 工作 。 Xīngqī wǔ yǐqián, yào zuò wán nǐ de gōngzuò. Before Friday, you need to finish your work.
  • 开会 以前 , 我们 要 有 一个 计划 。 Kāihuì yǐqián, wǒmen yào yǒu yīgè jìhuà. Before the meeting, we need a plan.
  • 三 年 以前 , 我 来 到 了 上海 。 Sān nián yǐqián, wǒ lái dào le Shànghǎi. Three years ago I came to Shanghai.
  • 吃 饭 以前 , 你 应该 洗 手 。 Chī fàn yǐqián, nǐ yīnggāi xǐ shǒu. Before eating, you should wash your hands.
  • 一 个 月 以前 , 我 认识 了 我 的 老婆 。 Yī gè yuè yǐqián, wǒ rènshi le wǒ de lǎopó. A month ago I met my wife.
  • 生 孩子 以前 , 你 应该 先 结婚 。 Shēng háizi yǐqián, nǐ yīnggāi xiān jiéhūn. Before having kids, you should first get married.

See also

Sources and further reading