Learn Mandarin Chinese: Expressing Past Habits with 以前 (yǐqián)
Use 以前 (yǐqián) to talk about past habits and states in Mandarin, similar to English 'used to'. Learn the pattern and practice with examples.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin Chinese, there is no single verb equivalent to English 'used to'. Instead, you can express past habits and states by using the time word 以前 (yǐqián), meaning 'before' or 'in the past', often combined with the particle 过 (guo) to indicate past experience. This lesson teaches you how to form sentences like 'I used to live in Rome' in Mandarin. You will learn the basic pattern, when to use it, and common pitfalls. By the end, you will be able to describe your own past routines and situations.
By the end, you can…
- use 以前 (yǐqián) to talk about past habits and states.
- form sentences with 以前 and 过 (guo) to describe past experiences.
- distinguish between past habits and present situations in Mandarin.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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我以前住在罗马。
I used to live in Rome.
Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Luómǎ.
Use 以前 before the verb to indicate a past state. 住 (zhù) means 'to live', 在 (zài) marks location.
我以前常常去公园。
I used to often go to the park.
Wǒ yǐqián chángcháng qù gōngyuán.
以前 + 常常 (chángcháng, 'often') + verb phrase expresses a past habit.
我以前不喜欢吃辣。
I didn't use to like spicy food.
Wǒ yǐqián bù xǐhuān chī là.
Negation with 不 (bù) before the verb. 以前 indicates the past state.
你以前学过中文吗？
Have you studied Chinese before?
Nǐ yǐqián xué guo Zhōngwén ma?
过 (guo) after the verb emphasizes past experience. 吗 (ma) makes it a yes/no question. Note: this sentence means 'Have you studied Chinese before?', not 'Did you use to study Chinese?' (which would be 你以前学中文吗？).
我以前是老师。
I used to be a teacher.
Wǒ yǐqián shì lǎoshī.
以前 with 是 (shì, 'to be') describes a past profession or identity.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern for 'used to' in Mandarin is: Subject + 以前 (yǐqián) + Verb Phrase. 以前 can appear at the beginning of the sentence or after the subject. For example: 我以前住在北京。 (Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Běijīng.) 'I used to live in Beijing.' To emphasize past experience, add 过 (guo) after the verb: 我以前去过中国。 (Wǒ yǐqián qù guo Zhōngguó.) 'I have been to China before.' Note that 以前 alone can also mean 'before' in a general sense, but with a verb phrase it clearly refers to a past habit or state. Also, 以前 can be used with stative verbs like 是 (shì), 喜欢 (xǐhuān), 住 (zhù), etc.
When to use it
Use 以前 when you want to contrast a past habit or state with the present. It is similar to English 'used to' but can also mean 'previously' or 'before'. For example, 我以前抽烟，现在不抽了。 (Wǒ yǐqián chōuyān, xiànzài bù chōu le.) 'I used to smoke, but now I don't.' If you simply want to say you did something in the past without implying a change, you might use 了 (le) or 过 (guo) without 以前. But for habits that have stopped, 以前 is essential. Also, 以前 can be used with stative verbs like 是 (shì), 喜欢 (xǐhuān), 住 (zhù), etc.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你以前住在哪里？
Where did you use to live?Nǐ yǐqián zhù zài nǎlǐ?我以前住在上海，现在住在北京。
I used to live in Shanghai, now I live in Beijing.Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Shànghǎi, xiànzài zhù zài Běijīng.你以前喜欢上海吗？
Did you like Shanghai before?Nǐ yǐqián xǐhuān Shànghǎi ma?喜欢，但是我现在更喜欢北京。
I liked it, but now I like Beijing more.Xǐhuān, dànshì wǒ xiànzài gèng xǐhuān Běijīng.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin, using 以前 to talk about past habits is neutral and common in everyday conversation. It does not carry the nostalgic tone that 'used to' sometimes has in English. When speaking with older generations, you might hear 从前 (cóngqián) instead of 以前, which is slightly more formal or literary. Both are correct, but 以前 is more common in spoken Mandarin. Also, avoid overusing 以前 with every past event; for single completed actions, 了 (le) is more natural.
One thing to watch for
Learners often say 我以前住过在罗马 (Wǒ yǐqián zhù guo zài Luómǎ) by adding 过 after 住 but before 在, which is incorrect.
Try this instead: The correct sentence is 我以前在罗马住过。 (Wǒ yǐqián zài Luómǎ zhù guo.) or 我以前住在罗马。 (Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Luómǎ.) The particle 过 (guo) comes after the verb, and location phrases with 在 (zài) typically precede the verb or follow it as a complement. For 'used to live', 以前住在 is sufficient; adding 过 emphasizes experience, but placement matters.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I used to work in a bank' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我以前在银行工作。
This uses 以前 before the location and verb. Alternatively, 我以前在银行工作过。 adds 过 to emphasize past experience, which is also correct.
2Translate: 'She didn't use to like coffee.'
Show a sample answer
她以前不喜欢咖啡。
Negation with 不 before the verb 喜欢. 以前 indicates the past state. You could also say 她以前不爱喝咖啡, which is equally valid.
3What is the difference between 我以前去中国 and 我以前去过中国?
Show a sample answer
我以前去中国 means 'I used to go to China' (a past habit), while 我以前去过中国 means 'I have been to China before' (past experience).
The addition of 过 (guo) shifts the focus to experience rather than a repeated habit. Both are correct, but the context determines which is more appropriate.
To talk about past habits and states in Mandarin, use 以前 (yǐqián) before the verb phrase. Add 过 (guo) after the verb to emphasize past experience. Remember that 以前 can also mean 'before' in a general sense, so context is key.
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