以来

• Pinyin: yǐ lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 以 = evolved from a pictograph meaning 'to use'; 来 = originally a pictograph of a wheat plant, now meaning 'to come'

Meaning

Since; ever since. Indicates the starting point of a period continuing to the present.

Placed after a time reference or event to indicate 'from that point until now'. It emphasises the duration and continuity of a situation. Common patterns include 自从...以来 and ...以来. Used in both spoken and written Chinese, though slightly more formal than casual alternatives.

Examples

1. 开学以来，他一直很努力学习。 Since the start of the school term, he has been studying very hard.
2. 自从去年以来，物价涨了不少。 Since last year, prices have gone up quite a bit.
3. 来中国以来，我学会了做很多中国菜。 Since coming to China, I have learnt to cook many Chinese dishes.

Usage Guide

Context: narrative, everyday, formal

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 毕业以来，我换了三份工作。(Since graduating, I have changed jobs three times.)
• 认识你以来，我很开心。(I have been very happy since I got to know you.)

Don't Say

• 明天以来我会更努力。(Don't use 以来 with future time — it only refers to a period from the past to now. For future plans, use 从明天开始.)

Origin & History

以 (by means of/with) + 来 (come). Together they express 'from (a point in time) coming (to the present)'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal