Definition
昔日 (xīrì) is a literary, formal noun meaning 'former days' — it is almost always used in writing or solemn speech, often to contrast with the present (如今 rújīn). Unlike the everyday 以前 (yǐqián) or the storytelling 从前 (cóngqián), 昔日 carries a nostalgic, reflective tone and is rarely used in casual conversation.
noun
former daysin the past
Examples
- 昔日，。Zhèlǐ xī rì shì yí piàn tiányě, rújīn biàn chéng le gāolóu.This was a field in former days; now it has become tall buildings.
- 昔日，，。xī rì péngyou xiāngjù, tánxiào fēngshēng, zhēn ràng rén huáiniàn.When friends gathered in the past, chatting and laughing freely, it truly makes one nostalgic.
- 昔日，。Tā xī rì shì yí wèi zhùmíng de huàjiā, rújīn hěn shǎo yǒu rén zhīdao tā le.He was a famous painter in former days; now few people know him.
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