以
Character
before (as in 以前, meaning in the past)
Meaning
yǐ
yi3- before (as in 以前, meaning in the past)
- after (as in 以后, meaning later)
- can, may (as in 可以)
Examples
我以前住在这里。
wǒ yǐ qián zhù zài zhè lǐ
I lived here before.
AI-generated sentence
你可以帮我吗？
nǐ kě yǐ bāng wǒ ma
Can you help me?
AI-generated sentence
我以后想去中国。
wǒ yǐ hòu xiǎng qù zhōng guó
I want to go to China later.
AI-generated sentence
Stroke order
All 4 strokes
Speed
Practice writing 以
Draw “以” here — the faint guide shows its shape.
Words with 以
See all 248 →以上yǐ shàngmore than a number or amount; at least that muchWordHSK 2以下yǐ xiàlower than a level, age, or amount that was statedWordHSK 2以为yǐ wéito think that something is true, but it is notWordHSK 2以前yǐ qiánbefore now; in the pastWordHSK 2以后yǐ hòuafter (a time or event)WordHSK 2以外yǐ wàiapart from; other than someone or somethingWordHSK 2以来yǐ láisince; from a time or event in the past until nowWordHSK 3以内yǐ nèiwithin (a limit of time, number, or distance); less thanWordHSK 4以及yǐ jíand; as well asWordHSK 4以便yǐ biànso that; in order to make something happen or be easierWordHSK 5以往yǐ wǎngin the past; before nowWordHSK 5以免yǐ miǎnso that something bad does not happenWordHSK 7–9