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, Subj. + Verb + Obj.

Verb + 以前, Subj. + Verb + Obj.

The time can be a specific time, or an action (technically, "when the action was done").

Examples

  • 早上 十点 以前 ,公司 没人。 Shí diǎn yǐqián, wǒ zài jiā. I will be at home before ten o'clock.
  • 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.
  • 来 中国 以前 , 你 男朋友 会 说 中文 吗? Shàng dàxué yǐqián, wǒ bù huì shuō Zhōngwén. Before I attended college, I couldn't speak Chinese.
  • 睡觉 以前 ,不要 吃 东西。 Shuìjiào yǐqián, bù yào chī dōngxi. Before going to sleep, don't eat anything.
  • 两年 以前 , 你 认识 我 现在 的 老板 吗? Liǎngnián yǐqián, nǐ renshi wǒ xiàn zài de lǎobǎn ma? Two years ago did you know my current boss?
  • 吃 饭 以前 ,你 洗手 了 吗?Chī fàn yǐqián, nǐ xǐ shǒu le ma? Before eating, did you wash your hands?
  • 几天 以前 刚刚 见 过 她。 Wǒ jǐtiān yǐqián, gānggāng jiàn guo ta. I just saw her a few days ago.
  • 星期 五 以前 , 你 要 做 完 这些 工作 。 Xīngqī wǔ yǐqián, Nǐ yào zuò wán zhèxie gōngzuò. Before Friday, you need to finish these work.
  • 上大学 以前 ,你 来 过 上海 吗? Shàng dàxué yǐqián, nǐ lái guo shànghǎi ma? Before you went to college,did you come to Shanghai?
  • 结婚 以前 , 你 应该 先 买 房子。 Shēng háizi yǐqián, nǐ yīnggāi xiān jiéhūn. Before having kids, you should first get married.

See also

Sources and further reading