HSK 5 · VERSION 2.0#27
Expressing “Ever Since” with “yǐlái”
以来
How it works
以来 (yǐlái) means “since...” or “ever since...” It is used after a time point, event, or period to indicate that something has continued from that point up to now or up to another reference point.
It is often used in more formal or written-style Chinese.
The pattern
Time / Event + 以来 (yǐlái)
Example sentences
自从去年搬到北京以来，他的生活方式改变了很多。
Ever since he moved to Beijing last year, his lifestyle has changed a lot.
改革开放以来，这个城市的发展速度非常快。
Ever since the reform and opening-up period, this city has developed very quickly.
进入公司工作以来，我学到了不少以前没接触过的东西。
Ever since I started working at the company, I have learned quite a lot of things I had never encountered before.
Key point
以来 (yǐlái) usually follows a noun phrase or event phrase and often appears in more formal narration than plain 以后 (yǐhòu).