Decoded Slug: 以前 (yǐqián) - Before, previously
Mandarin Grammar Point
以前 (yǐqián) - Before, previously
以前 (yǐqián) - Before, previously
Short explanation:
Used to indicate a time period that happened before the present time or before another specified time.
Formation:
Subject + 以前 + Verb + Object
Examples:
以前我每天都去跑步，但现在我太忙了。
Yǐqián wǒ měitiān dōu qù pǎobù, dàn xiànzài wǒ tài máng le.
I used to go running every day, but I'm too busy now.
我以前在北京住过。
Wǒ yǐqián zài Běijīng zhùguò.
I lived in Beijing before.
他以前是一个律师，现在是一名教师。
Tā yǐqián shì yígè lǜshī, xiànzài shì yì míng jiàoshī.
He used to be a lawyer, now he is a teacher.
你以前见过这个人吗？
Nǐ yǐqián jiànguò zhège rén ma?
Have you met this person before?
Long explanation:
The Mandarin Chinese adverb '以前 (yǐqián)' is used to indicate a time period that occurred in the past, before the present time or before another specified time. It's similar to the words 'before' or 'previously' in English. It can be used to refer to both the near past or a more distant past, and it is placed before the verb in a sentence.
