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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to a time span in years with 年 (nián)

    Numbers & Quantity
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Number + 年 + 来

    Explanation

    年 (nián) is used to express a number of years or a specific year. When combined with a number, it indicates a time span. For example, 二十年来 means "over the past twenty years."

    Examples

    • 他在这家公司工作了十年了。

      Tā zài zhè jiā gōngsī gōngzuò le shí nián le.

      He has worked at this company for ten years.

    • 我们三年没见了，你变化好大。

      Wǒmen sān nián méi jiàn le, nǐ biànhuà hǎo dà.

      We haven't seen each other for three years; you've changed so much.

    • 这座桥有两百多年的历史了。

      Zhè zuò qiáo yǒu liǎng bǎi duō nián de lìshǐ le.

      This bridge has over two hundred years of history.

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    Referring to a time span in years with 年 (nián) | Chinese Grammar