How to say “Used to” in Mandarin.

Practice

🔹 Basic Structure:

  1. 以前 (Yǐqián)+ verb phrase
  2. 曾经 (Céngjīng) + verb phrase (more formal or written)

🔹 Practice Examples:

  1. 我以前住在北京。
    Wǒ yǐqián zhù zài Běijīng.
    → I used to live in Beijing.
  2. 他以前是老师。
    Tā yǐqián shì lǎoshī.
    → He used to be a teacher.
  3. 我们以前常常一起吃饭。
    Wǒmen yǐqián chángcháng yīqǐ chīfàn.
    → We used to eat together often.
  4. 我曾经去过中国。
    Wǒ céngjīng qù guò Zhōngguó.
    → I once went to China / I used to have been to China.
  5. 她曾经在银行工作。
    Tā céngjīng zài yínháng gōngzuò.
    → She used to work at a bank.

🔸 Bonus: Negative form

  • 我以前不喝咖啡。
    Wǒ yǐqián bù hē kāfēi.
    → I didn’t use to drink coffee.

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