曾经

céng jīng

HSK 2.0 Level 5 HSK 3.0 Level 5 Adverb Very common

Definitions

1. once
2. already
3. former
4. previously
5. ever
6. (past tense marker used before verb or clause)

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 不曾 bù céng 不曾 bù céng hasn't yet 不曾 is the negative form, meaning 'never' (in the past), opposite of 曾经's 'once'.: hasn't yet

Related words

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• 从前 cóng qián 从前 cóng qián 从前 means 'in the past' and is often used narratively, related to 曾经's past tense marking.: 从前 means 'in the past' and is often used narratively, related to 曾经's past tense marking.

Synonyms

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• 已经 yǐ jīng 已经 yǐ jīng already Both can indicate an action has happened, but 曾经 is used for past experiences, while 已经 emphasizes completion or 'already'.: already

Usage notes

Collocations

曾经 is often paired with 过 (e.g., 曾经去过) to emphasize past experience, not with 了 which marks completion.

Common mistakes

曾经 is not used for specific time references like 'yesterday' or 'last year'; it indicates an indefinite past experience.

Example Sentences

5 shown

我 曾经 去过北京。

I have been to Beijing before.

这里 曾经 很繁华，现在却是一片荒凉。

It used to be bustling here, but now it's completely desolate.

这个地区 曾经 是一个殖民地。

This area used to be a colony.

这个国家 曾经 经历过独裁统治。

This country once experienced a dictatorship.

罗马帝国 曾经 统治过许多土地。

The Roman Empire once ruled over many lands.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 曾经

• 曾经沧海 曾经沧海 céng jīng cāng hǎi: lit. having crossed the vast ocean (idiom)
• 曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云 曾经沧海难为水，除却巫山不是云 céng jīng cāng hǎi nán wéi shuǐ , chú què wū shān bù shì yún: there are no rivers to one who has crossed the ocean, and no clouds to one who has passed Mount Wu (idiom)

Child Words of 曾经

• 曾 曾 céng: once
• 曾 曾 zēng: great- (grandfather, grandchild etc)
• 经 经 jīng: classics