以来 yǐlái since (a previous event)
How to remember 以来: 以 to use + 来 come = since (a previous event).
Characters
How it is used
- 'Since (a past point) up to now' - 自那以来 (zì nà yǐlái) ever since then; 长期以来 (chángqī yǐlái) for a long time now.
- Attaches after a time expression: 改革开放以来 (gǎigé kāifàng yǐlái) since reform and opening.
- Marks a stretch continuing to the present; pairs naturally with 一直 (yìzhí, continuously).
Example sentences
- 谢谢你一直以来对我的照顾。 Xièxiè nǐ yìzhí yǐlái duì wǒ de zhàogù.Thank you for always taking care of me.
- 你跟你的女朋友见面以来有多久了？ Nǐ gēn nǐ de nǚpéngyǒu jiànmiàn yǐlái yǒu duōjiǔ le?How long has it been since you saw your girlfriend?
- 本世纪初以来，产生了很多进步。 Běnshìjìchū yǐlái, chǎnshēng le hěnduō jìnbù.Many improvements have been made since this century began.