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之前/以前/从前
 
之前/以前/从前
  
以前 can be translated as Before, 从前 is usualy used when telling a sotry, so it means „Once upon a time“. They have similar meanings, but the general rule is, that 以前, can be always used also to replace 从前, but 从前 can be used only in a specific situations.  
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以前 can be translated as Before, 从前 is usualy used when telling a story, it can be translated as „Once upon a time“. 以前 can replace 从前 almost in every case, but 从前 can be used only in a specific situations.  
  
 
从前 can be used only if it stands alone and can not be acompanied by another time expresion.  
 
从前 can be used only if it stands alone and can not be acompanied by another time expresion.  

Latest revision as of 08:41, 13 June 2012


之前/以前/从前

以前 can be translated as Before, 从前 is usualy used when telling a story, it can be translated as „Once upon a time“. 以前 can replace 从前 almost in every case, but 从前 can be used only in a specific situations.

从前 can be used only if it stands alone and can not be acompanied by another time expresion.

There used to be a castle before.

对 - 从前在这里有一座城堡。

对 - 以前在这里有一座城堡。


There was a castle two years ago.

对 - 两年以前这里有一座城堡。

错 - 两年从前这里有一座城堡。


以前/之前


以前/之前 can be alo used as a definition of a time in a future as well as in a present. 从前 does not have this usage. For Example:

对 - 我想明天两点以前走。

错 - 我想明天两点之前走。

错 - 我想明天两点从前走。


The difference between 之前/以前 is very easy. 之前 expresses longer time.




实用对外汉语教学语法(pp. 54) 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (pp. 3, 5, 7)