How common it is
曾 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say céng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
曾表示过去发生过，常见于书面语。
céng biǎo shì guò qù fā shēng guò， cháng jiàn yú shū miàn yǔ。
曾 indicates something happened in the past, often in written language.
Context note
曾常用于经历、回忆和说明。
céng cháng yòng yú jīng lì 、 huí yì hé shuō míng。
It is often used with experiences, memories, and explanation.
5 examples
他曾来过这里。
tā céng lái guò zhè lǐ。
He once came here.
我曾见过他。
wǒ céng jiàn guò tā。
I have seen him before.
这里曾是学校。
zhè lǐ céng shì xué xiào。
This used to be a school.
她曾在国外学习。
tā céng zài guó wài xué xí。
She once studied abroad.
我曾听老师说过。
wǒ céng tīng lǎo shī shuō guò。
I have heard the teacher say this before.
5 mini stories
这座房子曾经很旧。
zhè zuò fáng zi céng jīng hěn jiù。
This house used to be very old.
他曾在那所学校工作。
tā céng zài nà suǒ xué xiào gōng zuò。
He once worked at that school.
这个地方曾有很多树。
zhè ge dì fāng céng yǒu hěn duō shù。
This place once had many trees.
她曾帮助过很多人。
tā céng bāng zhù guò hěn duō rén。
She has helped many people before.
曾经的经历让他更成熟。
céng jīng de jīng lì ràng tā gèng chéng shú。
Past experiences made him more mature.