Definition
以往 (yǐwǎng) is a formal noun meaning 'the past' or 'former times', often used in writing to contrast with the present. It is more literary than 过去 (guòqù) and 以前 (yǐqián), which are common in everyday speech. Unlike 从前 (cóngqián), which often starts stories, 以往 typically modifies nouns (e.g., 以往的经验 'past experience') or appears in time contrasts.
noun
the pastformer times
Easily confused
- 遗忘yí wàngsound-aliketo forget (usually something abstract or important)
Examples
- 以往，。yǐ wǎng rénmen méiyǒu shǒujī, xiànzài rénrén dōu yǒu.In the past people didn't have cell phones; now everyone has one.
- 以往。yǐ wǎng de jīngyàn néng bāngzhù wǒmen bìmiǎn cuòwù.Past experience can help us avoid mistakes.
- 以往，。yǐ wǎng wǒ bù xǐhuan yùndòng, xiànzài měitiān pǎobù.I used to not like exercise; now I run every day.
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