以前

• Pinyin: yǐ qián
• Hanzi breakdown: 以 = 'to use/by means of'; 前 = 止 (foot) + 刂 (knife), originally meaning 'to advance,' now 'before/front'

Meaning

Before; previously; in the past. Refers to a time preceding a given point.

The opposite of 以后. Can refer to 'before' a specific event (e.g., 上课以前 — before class) or 'in the past' in a general sense (e.g., 以前我住在北京 — I used to live in Beijing). Very commonly used to talk about past habits or experiences.

Examples

1. 以前我不会说中文。 I couldn't speak Chinese before.
2. 上班以前他习惯跑步。 Before going to work, he likes to go running.
3. 这里以前是一片田地。 This place used to be farmland.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, conversation, storytelling

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 以前的事别想了。(Don't think about things in the past.)
• 睡觉以前要刷牙。(You should brush your teeth before going to bed.)

Don't Say

• 我明天以前会很忙。(Don't use 以前 for future deadlines — say 之前 or use 以后 to restructure.)

Origin & History

Compound of 以 (by means of/using) and 前 (before/front), literally 'from before,' i.e. prior to a given point.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal