以来

• 拼音: yǐ lái
• 汉字拆解: 以 = evolved from a pictograph meaning 'to use'; 来 = originally a pictograph of a wheat plant, now meaning 'to come'

含义

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.

例句

1. 开学以来，他一直很努力学习。
2. 自从去年以来，物价涨了不少。
3. 来中国以来，我学会了做很多中国菜。

用法指南

语境: narrative, everyday, formal

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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.)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal