Meaning of 以来
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- since (used after a specified time or event)
How to use 以来
以来 goes after a time or event and describes a period that runs up to the present. It often pairs with 自 (zì) or 从 (cóng) at the front. Example: 自从搬家以来，我睡得很好。(Zìcóng bānjiā yǐlái, wǒ shuì de hěn hǎo.) Since moving house, I have been sleeping well.
以 (yǐ) can mark a starting point, and 来 (lái) means to come. Together 以来 is everything that has come since that starting point up to now.
Common mistake: Learners put 以来 before the time, as in English "since 2020", but it must come after: 2020年以来 (2020 nián yǐlái), not 以来2020年. It also cannot describe a finished stretch in the past that has no link to now. Use 以后 (yǐhòu) for "after" in that case.
以来 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
以 yǐ · to use · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
来 lái · to come · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 以来.
| 回来 | huílái | to return; to come back |
| 起来 | qǐlái | to stand up; to get up; also pr. [qi3lai2] |
| 出来 | chūlái | to come out; to appear |
| 进来 | jìnlái | to come in |
| 来到 | láidào | to arrive; to come |
| 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may |
| 所以 | suǒyǐ | therefore; as a result |
| 过来 | guòlái | to come over; to manage |
| 以为 | yǐwéi | to think; to believe (often with the implication that the belief is mistaken – unless refe |
| 以前 | yǐqián | before; formerly |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after; later |
| 带来 | dàilái | to bring; (fig.) to bring about; to produce |
Questions about 以来
What does 以来 mean?
以来 (yǐlái) means "since (used after a specified time or event)" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 以来?
以来 is made of 2 characters: 以 (4 strokes), 来 (7 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 以来 an HSK word?
Yes. 以来 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 以来 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 以来 is written 以來.
What is the difference between 以来 and 以后?
以来 covers a period from a point in time up to now, so it usually describes an ongoing situation. 以后 simply means "after" and can refer to the past or the future, for example 毕业以后 (bìyè yǐhòu) after graduating.
Can 以来 be used with a length of time like three years?
Yes. 三年以来 (sān nián yǐlái) means "over the past three years" and describes what has happened during that time. 近年来 (jìnnián lái) means "in recent years" and works in a similar way.