曾经 (céngjīng): once; ever; formerly

Meanings

1 once; ever; formerly
2 at one time in the past

Characters

曾

céng

once; ever; previously

经

jīng

to pass through; to experience

Examples

我曾经去过中国。

Wǒ céngjīng qù guo Zhōngguó.

I have been to China before.

他曾经是一名老师。

Tā céngjīng shì yì míng lǎoshī.

He was once a teacher.

我曾经以为自己不行。

Wǒ céngjīng yǐwéi zìjǐ bùxíng.

I once thought I couldn't do it.

这里曾经是一片森林。

Zhèlǐ céngjīng shì yí piàn sēnlín.

This used to be a forest.

Tips

grammar

曾经 often pairs with 过: 曾经 + verb + 过. The 过 reinforces the sense of past experience. 曾经去过 = once went / have been to.

usage

曾经 vs 以前: 曾经 emphasizes that something happened at some point in the past (experiential). 以前 simply means 'before/previously' (temporal).

In Pop Culture

曾经沧海难为水 Céngjīng cānghǎi nán wéi shuǐ

Having seen the vast ocean, no other water compares

Tang-dynasty line by Yuan Zhen: once you've seen the ocean, no other water moves you — used for love that outlives the beloved.

Stroke Order

曾 céng

经 jīng

Related Words

曾 céng HSK 4 #643

once / already / ever / previously / past tense marker

经历 jīnglì HSK 3 #801

experience; to go through / to undergo

经验 jīngyàn HSK 3 #1,793

experience (knowledge gained) / practical knowledge

经济 jīngjì HSK 3 #2,625

economy / economic; financial

经营 jīngyíng HSK 3 #3,228

to operate; to run (a business) / to manage; to engage in

从前 cóngqián HSK 3 #4,659

formerly / once upon a time / in the past

曾经沧海难为水 céng jīng cānghǎi nán wéi shuǐ

once you have seen the vast ocean, no other water seems worthy of the name / one who has known the greatest cannot settle for less / nothing compares to what one has already had

经常 jīngcháng HSK 2 #922

often; frequently / regularly

已经 yǐjīng HSK 2 #84

already

经过 jīngguò HSK 2 #1,267

to pass through; to go by / process; course