Chinese–EnglishWith examples

以前

yǐ qián · yi qian

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 2Old HSK 3

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. before
  2. formerly
  3. previous
  4. ago
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In a conversation

0:15 cartoon

Winter after Shanghai

  1. Liangliang

    灯灯(dēngdēng)，你(nǐ)以前(yǐqián)住(zhù)在(zài)哪儿(nǎr)？

    Dengdeng, where did you live before?

  2. Dengdeng

    我(wǒ)以前(yǐqián)住(zhù)在(zài)上海(shànghǎi)。

    I used to live in Shanghai.

  3. Liangliang

    为什么(wèishénme)搬(bān)到(dào)北京(běijīng)？

    Why did you move to Beijing?

  4. Dengdeng

    以前(yǐqián)我(wǒ)不(bù)怕(pà)冷(lěng)。

    I wasn't afraid of the cold before.

  5. Liangliang

    现在(xiànzài)呢(ne)？

    And now?

  6. Dengdeng

    现在(xiànzài)我(wǒ)穿(chuān)三(sān)件(jiàn)衣服(yīfu)还(hái)冷(lěng)！

    Now I wear three layers and I'm still cold!

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

她(tā)以(yǐ)前(qián)是(shì)兼(jiān)职(zhí)厨(chú)师(shī)，后(hòu)来(lái)做(zuò)了(le)全(quán)职(zhí)。

She used to be a part time chef, then she became full time.

Tatoeba: Chinese by hamsolo474 · English by hamsolo474 · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

02

“以(yǐ)前(qián)我(wǒ)们(men)没(méi)在(zài)哪(nǎ)儿(r)见(jiàn)过(guò)吗(ma)？”学(xué)生(sheng)问(wèn)道(dào)。

"Haven't we met somewhere before?" asked the student.

Tatoeba: Chinese by fucongcong · English by Zifre · CC BY 2.0 FR. Pinyin added or corrected.

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How to write

Stroke order & practice

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Mainland China stroke order, including traditional characters. Drawing sources & licenses.

The characters

Explore individually
以
yǐ

to use; by means of

前
qián

front; forward

Individual character meanings do not always explain the meaning of a whole word.

Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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