以来

yǐ lái

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Noun Common

Definitions

1 item

before

以来 refers to the time since a past event, while 以前 refers to time before a past event.

1 item

after; behind

以来 focuses on the period from a past event until now, while 之后 means 'after' without the ongoing sense.

Often used after a time expression, e.g., 自…以来 or 自从…以来, to mark the starting point of a continuing state.

Use 以来, not 以后, to mean 'since a past point up to now'; 以后 means 'after' without the ongoing sense.

for a long time

in the past always

since the beginning of history

since birth

since ancient times

for as long as one can remember

to use

to come