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Expressing "once did" or past experience with 曾经 (céngjīng)
HSK 4Aspect & Tense
Time Expressions
Structure
Subject + 曾经 + Verb + 过
Explanation
The adverb 曾经 (céngjīng) indicates that an action or event occurred at some point in the past. It is similar to "once" or "formerly" in English and is often paired with 过 to emphasize past experience. For example, 我曾经去过北京 means "I once went to Beijing."
Examples
我曾经在那家公司工作过三年。
Wǒ céngjīng zài nà jiā gōngsī gōngzuò guò sān nián.
I once worked at that company for three years.
她曾经学过钢琴，但后来放弃了。
Tā céngjīng xué guò gāngqín, dàn hòulái fàngqì le.
She once studied piano, but later gave it up.
我们曾经是很好的朋友。
Wǒmen céngjīng shì hěn hǎo de péngyǒu.
We were once very good friends.