以前 (yǐqián) — before / in the past / previously

以前 (yǐqián)

A time reference word meaning "before" a stated point in time, or "in the past" when used without a specific reference. Always refers to time earlier than the reference point.

Meanings

1. [noun/adverb] Before (a specific time), prior to.
2. [noun/adverb] In the past, previously, formerly.

Example Sentences

吃饭以前，要洗手。 Chīfàn yǐqián, yào xǐ shǒu. Before eating, you should wash your hands.

以前，我不喜欢蔬菜。 Yǐqián, wǒ bù xǐhuān shūcài. In the past, I didn't like vegetables.

他来中国以前，学了两年中文。 Tā lái Zhōngguó yǐqián, xué le liǎng nián zhōngwén. Before coming to China, he studied Chinese for two years.

以前这里是一片农田。 Yǐqián zhèlǐ shì yī piàn nóngtián. This place used to be farmland.

Collocations

Memory Hook

以 marks a boundary and 前 means "front/before" — everything in front of that boundary belongs to the past.