How to Say ‘Before’ in Traditional Chinese
以前
yǐ qián
[yǐqián]
💬 Usage Tip: When 以前 stands on its own it means "in the past, formerly". It only means "before" when it follows a time or event, as in 九點以前 "before nine".
Phrase Breakdown
以前
yǐ qián
[yǐqián]
before
Placed after a time to mean 'before/by that time'.
中午以前要付款。
Payment is due before noon.
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