以往
yǐ wǎng HSK 6

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

以往的经验告诉我们谨慎行事。
Yǐwǎng de jīngyàn gàosù wǒmen jǐnshèn xíngshì.
Past experience tells us to act cautiously.
以往他常常迟到,现在改好了。
Yǐwǎng tā chángcháng chídào, xiànzài gǎi hǎo le.
He used to be late often, but now he has improved.
以往的情况与现在完全不同。
Yǐwǎng de qíngkuàng yǔ xiànzài wánquán bùtóng.
The situation in the past was completely different from now.
以往他很忙。
Yǐwǎng tā hěn máng.
He was busy before.
以往天气很热。
Yǐwǎng tiānqì hěn rè.
The weather was hot before.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 以 (yǐ) means 'using' or 'by,' and 往 (wǎng) means 'toward' or 'to go.' Think of it as 'going toward what was used before'—that is, looking back to the past. Associate it with phrases like 'in the past, I used to...' to reinforce its meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is neutral in formality and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. It is common in contexts like discussing past experiences, habits, or trends, such as in reports, narratives, or reflective conversations. It often sets up a comparison with the present.

📖 Grammar Points

以往 is typically used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to modify the entire statement, e.g., '以往,这里很安静。' It can also follow prepositions like '与' in comparisons, e.g., '与以往相比,现在更好了。'

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, referencing 以往 can imply learning from past experiences or traditions, reflecting a value on historical continuity. It's often used in discussions about social changes or personal growth.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 以前 (yǐqián, 'before' or 'ago,' more general for time), 过去 (guòqù, 'past' as a noun or adjective, broader), and 从前 (cóngqián, 'formerly' with a narrative tone). 以往 specifically highlights a past period in contrast to now, often used in analytical or comparative contexts.

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