In Mandarin Chinese, temporal expressions play a vital role in conveying different aspects of time. Among the commonly used terms are “??,” “??,” “??,” and “??.” While they all relate to the past, they each have distinct nuances that are important to understand.
- ?? (cóngqián): “??” refers to a time long ago or in the distant past. It’s often used to introduce fairy tales, folk stories, or historical narratives. For example:
- ??????????? (Once upon a time, there was a brave prince.)
- ?? (guòqù): “??” generally refers to the past, encompassing a period that has already elapsed. It’s a versatile term that can refer to the recent or distant past. For example:
- ?????????????????? (We have made great progress in the past ten years.)
- ???????????? (Let bygones be bygones.)
- ?? (y?qián): “??” refers to a time before a specific point or event mentioned in the context. It often implies a contrast with the present or a change over time. For example:
- ??????????????? (I used to live in Beijing, but now I live in Shanghai.)
- ????????????????? (He used to be shy before, but now he has become outgoing.)
- ?? (y?w?ng): “??” emphasizes continuity and the cumulative aspect of the past. It typically refers to a period extending up to the present or a pattern of events that occurred repeatedly over time. For example:
- ???????????????????? (Past experience tells us how to deal with this situation.)
- ?????????????????? (The company has achieved stable growth in previous years.)
Understanding the nuances of these temporal expressions can enhance your ability to express past events and concepts accurately in Mandarin. Whether recounting stories from “??,” reflecting on events of “??,” referring to times “??,” or considering experiences “??,” each term adds depth and specificity to your communication.
Classical Chinese – How did they talk about the past?
While you might not often (or indeed never) read much ??? (Classical Chinese), I wanted to discuss how the past used to be conveyed in writing in traditional Chinese texts.
In Classical Chinese literature, the concept of “the past” is intricately woven into the fabric of historical narratives, philosophical treatises, and poetic compositions. Unlike modern Mandarin, which utilises the terms discussed above (??, ??, ?? and ??) to denote the past, Classical Chinese employs a rich array of linguistic devices and idiomatic expressions to convey temporal notions.
One common way to refer to “the past” in Classical Chinese is through the use of temporal adverbs such as “?” (x?), “?” (g?), and “?” (xi?n). For example, “??” (x?rì) signifies “in ancient times” or “in former days,” evoking a sense of antiquity and nostalgia. Similarly, “??” (g?shí) conveys the idea of “in ancient times” or “in the olden days”.
Classical Chinese utilizes grammatical structures and rhetorical devices to evoke historical depth. The particle “?” (zh?) indicates the past, functioning as a possessive marker. Phrases like “????” (g? zh? yíjì) convey the notion of “remnants of the past.” Similarly, “????” (x?rì zh? rén) means “people of ancient times.”
Moreover, Classical Chinese literature abounds with idiomatic expressions and literary allusions that evoke the passage of time. Below are some examples:
- “????” (chángyè mànmàn) –> “the long night stretches endlessly”
- “????” (suìyuè rúsu?) –> “time flies like an arrow,”
“????” conveys the idea of a night that seems to last forever, evoking a sense of weariness or longing for the dawn. Meanwhile, “????” captures the fleeting nature of human existence and the transience of worldly affairs.