以来
Traditional: 以來
yǐ lái HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

自从去年以来,他一直很忙。
Zìcóng qùnián yǐlái, tā yīzhí hěn máng.
Since last year, he has been very busy.
从早上以来,我还没吃饭。
Cóng zǎoshang yǐlái, wǒ hái méi chīfàn.
Since morning, I haven't eaten yet.
这个月以来,天气变得很冷。
Zhège yuè yǐlái, tiānqì biàn dé hěn lěng.
Since this month, the weather has become very cold.
开学以来,我很忙。
Kāixué yǐlái, wǒ hěn máng.
Since school started, I've been very busy.
他生病以来,没上学。
Tā shēngbìng yǐlái, méi shàngxué.
Since he got sick, he hasn't gone to school.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 以来 as 'since then until now'—break it down: 以 (yǐ) can mean 'by means of' or 'according to,' and 来 (lái) means 'to come.' Together, they imply 'coming from a past point up to here.' Associate it with phrases like 'ever since I came.'

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, in written and spoken Chinese. It often appears in narratives, reports, or discussions to describe changes, trends, or states that have persisted over time, such as in news, business analyses, or personal stories.

📖 Grammar Points

以来 is typically placed after a time-indicating phrase or clause to form a time adverbial. Common patterns include: '自/从 + [time/event] + 以来' (e.g., 自去年以来) or '[time/event] + 以来' (e.g., 开学以来). It often pairs with verbs or adjectives showing continuity, like 一直, 始终, or 不断.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese discourse, 以来 is frequently used to frame historical or social developments, such as 改革开放以来 (since the reform and opening-up), reflecting a focus on progress and change over time in collective memory.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 以后 (yǐhòu, meaning 'after' a point in time, without emphasis on duration up to now), 以来 specifically highlights the continuous span from past to present. 自从 (zìcóng) is a conjunction often paired with 以来 (e.g., 自从...以来) to mean 'ever since,' but 以来 alone can follow time phrases.

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