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    以前没有 (yǐqián méiyǒu) - didn't have before

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    neutral

    How it works

    This phrase combines '以前 (yǐqián)' meaning 'before' or 'in the past' with '没有 (méiyǒu)' meaning 'to not have' or 'to not exist'. It indicates that something was absent or did not exist at an earlier point in time. It often functions as a predicate or an adverbial modifier describing a past state.

    Sample sentences

    他以前没有来过这里。

    He hadn't been here before.

    这种技术以前没有，是最近才研发出来的。

    This kind of technology didn't exist before; it was only recently developed.

    我以前没有吃过这么辣的菜。

    I've never eaten such spicy food before.

    Quick facts

    emphasis:Can emphasize a change from a past state to a present one.
    structure:时间状语 (以前) + 否定动词 (没有)

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    他以前没有来过这里。

    He hadn't been here before.

    这种技术以前没有，是最近才研发出来的。

    This kind of technology didn't exist before; it was only recently developed.

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