以往

• Pinyin: yǐ wǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 以 = from/taking; 往 = past/go, what has passed

Meaning

In the past; previously; before. Refers to time before the present, often implying comparison with now.

A formal way to refer to the past, often used when contrasting past and present situations. More formal than 以前. Common in expressions like 与以往不同 (different from before) or 以往的经验 (past experience).

Examples

1. 与以往相比，今年的销售额增长了百分之二十。 Compared to the past, this year's sales increased by twenty percent.
2. 以往我们用信件联系，现在都用电子邮件了。 In the past we communicated by letter, but now we all use email.
3. 她的工作态度和以往完全不一样了。 Her work attitude is completely different from before.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, reflection, formal writing

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 以往的方法已经不管用了。(The old methods no longer work.)
• 这比以往任何时候都重要。(This is more important than ever before.)

Don't Say

• 以往明天 (以往 refers to the past, not the future)

Origin & History

Compound of 以 (taking, from) and 往 (past, gone). Literally 'from what has passed.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated