HSK 3 · VERSION 2.0#27
Expressing “Before” in General with “yǐqián”
以前
How it works
以前 can also mean “before” in a more general sense, referring to the past.
The pattern
Subject / Time Phrase + 以前
Example sentences
我以前住在上海。
I lived in Shanghai before.
他以前不喜欢运动。
He did not like sports before.
以前这里很安静。
This place was very quiet before.
Usage note
This use is more general than “before a specific time.”