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以前/以后

HSK 1
  • Time

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Time reference/Action以前/以后, Main clause

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

以前 and 以后 are used to indicate a time before or after a specific reference point.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

以前 (yǐqián) means "before" a certain point in time, or "in the past, back in the day" when used alone. Conversely, 以后 (yǐhòu) means "after" a point in time, or "in the future, from now on" when used alone.

Time expressions with 以前/以后 are typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or immediately after the subject to establish the temporal context for the main action.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 吃饭以前要洗手。
    繁: 吃飯以前要洗手。Chīfàn yǐqián yào xǐshǒu.

    You must wash your hands before eating.

  2. 下课以后我们去吃饭。
    繁: 下課以後我們去吃飯。Xiàkè yǐhòu wǒmen qù chīfàn.

    After class we'll go eat.

  3. 我以前是老师。
    繁: 我以前是老師。Wǒ yǐqián shì lǎoshī.

    I used to be a teacher.

  4. 我以后想去中国。
    繁: 我以後想去中國。Wǒ yǐhòu xiǎng qù Zhōngguó.

    I want to go to China in the future.

  5. 来中国以前，我不会说汉语。
    繁: 來中國以前，我不會說漢語。Lái Zhōngguó yǐqián, wǒ bú huì shuō Hànyǔ.

    Before coming to China, I did not know how to speak Chinese.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我要去吃饭下课以后。
    Correct:下课以后我要去吃饭。

    Time expressions (下课以后) must come before the main verb, typically at the beginning of the sentence or immediately after the subject.