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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "the past" with 过去 (guòqù)

    Time Expressions

    Structure

    在 + 过去 + Time Duration

    Explanation

    过去 (guòqù) means "the past" or "in the past." As a noun or time word, it refers to a period of time that has already elapsed. It is often used with a time duration, such as 过去两年 (the past two years), to set the temporal background of a sentence.

    Examples

    • 过去十年，这座城市变化很大。

      Guòqù shí nián, zhè zuò chéngshì biànhuà hěn dà.

      Over the past ten years, this city has changed a lot.

    • 跟过去相比，现在的生活方便多了。

      Gēn guòqù xiāngbǐ, xiànzài de shēnghuó fāngbiàn duō le.

      Compared to the past, life is much more convenient now.

    • 过去我不太喜欢运动，现在每天都跑步。

      Guòqù wǒ bú tài xǐhuān yùndòng, xiànzài měi tiān dōu pǎobù.

      I didn't like exercise much in the past, but now I run every day.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing "the past" with 过去 (guòqù) | Chinese Grammar