How common it is
曾经 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say céngjīng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
曾经表示以前某个时间发生过。
céng jīng biǎo shì yǐ qián mǒu gè shí jiān fā shēng guò。
曾经 means once or in the past.
Context note
曾经常用于回忆和比较现在。
céng jīng cháng yòng yú huí yì hé bǐ jiào xiàn zài。
It is often used to recall the past and compare with now.
5 examples
我曾经住在这里。
wǒ céng jīng zhù zài zhè lǐ。
I once lived here.
这条路曾经很安静。
zhè tiáo lù céng jīng hěn ān jìng。
This road used to be very quiet.
他曾经是老师。
tā céng jīng shì lǎo shī。
He used to be a teacher.
我们曾经见过面。
wǒ men céng jīng jiàn guò miàn。
We have met before.
曾经的梦想还在。
céng jīng de mèng xiǎng hái zài。
The dreams from the past are still there.
5 mini stories
这里曾经是一片农田。
zhè lǐ céng jīng shì yí piàn nóng tián。
This place used to be farmland.
她曾经很害怕上台。
tā céng jīng hěn hài pà shàng tái。
She used to be very afraid of going on stage.
这位老人曾经是运动员。
zhè wèi lǎo rén céng jīng shì yùn dòng yuán。
This old person used to be an athlete.
曾经的错误让他学会了认真。
céng jīng de cuò wù ràng tā xué huì le rèn zhēn。
Past mistakes taught him to be serious.
他们曾经一起上学。
tā men céng jīng yì qǐ shàng xué。
They used to go to school together.