以前
HSK 3 (exam 2025)HSK 2 (2021)Old HSK 3
以前 (yǐqián) · before
以前 (yǐqián) means “before; previously; in the past”. It is written with 2 characters: 以 (with) + 前 (front). It is an HSK 3 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 以前 is built
The characters
以 yǐ · with
What 以 is made of
- 人rén — person
前 qián · front
What 前 is made of
- 丷ha — kwukyel
- 丶 — dot
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 刖yuè — cutting off the feet as a form of punishment
- 月yuè — moon; month
- 冂 — frame
- 二 — two strokes
- 刂dāo — knife
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 亅 — hook
- 月yuè — moon; month
Example sentences
我以前住在这里。Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài zhèlǐ.I used to live here.
睡觉以前别喝咖啡。Shuìjiào yǐqián bié hē kāfēi.Don't drink coffee before bed.
Questions about 以前
What does 以前 mean?
以前 (yǐqián) means “before; previously; in the past”.
How do you pronounce 以前?
以前 is pronounced yǐqián.
Which HSK level is 以前?
以前 is in HSK 3 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 3.
Related words
- 可以kěyǐcan
- 所以suǒyǐso
- 以后yǐhòuafter
- 以上yǐshàngabove
- 以外yǐwàibesides
- 以为yǐwéito think (mistakenly)
- 以下yǐxiàbelow
- 以来yǐláisince
- 以及yǐjíand
- 以内yǐnèiwithin
Learn 以前 with its group
It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 30: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.