formerly; before; in the past
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesnoun
formerly; before; in the past
dialectDialectal term primarily used in northern Chinese dialects to refer to a time in the past, often implying a contrast with the present situation. The tilde (～) in dictionary notation represents the headword itself.
Tā他
shēn身
tǐ体
bǐ比
cóng从
xiān先
jiē结
shi实
duō多
le了
。
His body is much stronger than before.
Cóng从
xiān先
zhè这
lǐ里
dōu都
shì是
nóng农
tián田
，
xiàn现
zài在
gài盖
le了
gāo高
lóu楼
。
This place used to be all farmland, but now high-rise buildings have been constructed.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Tā他
cóng从
xiān先
bù不
chōu抽
yān烟
，
xiàn现
zài在
què却
chōu抽
de得
hěn很
lì厉
hai害
。
He didn't smoke before, but now he smokes heavily.