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.
Mini dialogue
去过的地方
A
你曾去过北京吗？
Nǐ céng qù guo Běijīng ma?
Have you ever been to Beijing?
B
我曾去过一次，那里很美。
Wǒ céng qù guo yī cì, nàlǐ hěn měi.
I've been there once, it's very beautiful.
曾经的爱好
A
你曾学过画画吗？
Nǐ céng xué guo huà huà ma?
Have you ever learned to draw?
B
我曾学过两年，后来停了。
Wǒ céng xué guo liǎng nián, hòulái tíng le.
I once learned for two years, then stopped.
Related words and contrasts
related
已经
yǐjīng
already
已经 is used for actions that have already happened, similar to 曾 for past experience.
related
以前
yǐqián
before; previously
以前 refers to a time in the past, often used with 曾.