// Popular · 10

自…以来

HSK 6
  • Time

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

自Time point/Event以来, SubjectPredicate

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

The structure 自…以来 is used to indicate a period of time that begins from a point in the past and extends to the present.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

This is the formal way of saying "ever since… until now." 自…以来 emphasizes a span of time that begins at a point in the past and continues uninterrupted to the present. What appears between 自 and 以来 can be a specific time reference (such as 去年 — last year) or an event (such as 毕业 — graduation). This structure is typically used in written language or formal contexts.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 自去年以来，他一直很忙。
    繁: 自去年以來，他一直很忙。Zì qùnián yǐlái, tā yìzhí hěn máng.

    Since last year, he has been very busy.

  2. 自大学毕业以来，我们没见过面。
    繁: 自大學畢業以來，我們沒見過面。Zì dàxué bìyè yǐlái, wǒmen méi jiàn guò miàn.

    Since graduating from university, we haven't seen each other.

  3. 自公司成立以来，发展很快。
    繁: 自公司成立以來，發展很快。Zì gōngsī chénglì yǐlái, fāzhǎn hěn kuài.

    Since its establishment, the company has developed very rapidly.

  4. 自搬到这里以来，我的生活好多了。
    繁: 自搬到這裡以來，我的生活好多了。Zì bān dào zhèlǐ yǐlái, wǒ de shēnghuó hǎo duō le.

    Since moving here, my life has been much better.

  5. 自新政策实施以来，情况有了改善。
    繁: 自新政策實施以來，情況有了改善。Zì xīn zhèngcè shíshī yǐlái, qíngkuàng yǒu le gǎishàn.

    Since the new policy was implemented, the situation has improved.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:自去年，他一直很忙。
    Correct:自去年以来，他一直很忙。

    自 and 以来 form a fixed pair in this structure; 以来 cannot be omitted when expressing the meaning "since... until now."

  • Wrong:自从去年以来，他一直很忙。
    Correct:自去年以来，他一直很忙。

    自从 and 自…以来 are two distinct structures and should not be used interchangeably; 自…以来 is more formal.