Grammar · Chapter 32
曾经 and 已经: once and already
A 曾经 + verb (+ 过) · A 已经 + verb + 了
曾经 is “once, at some time (but not now)”, often with 过 after the verb: 他曾经是我的老师, he was my teacher, but isn't now. Don't mix it up with 已经, “already”: 我已经吃过饭了, and that matters now (I'm not hungry).
Examples
- 我曾经去过北京。 Wǒ céngjīng qù guo Běijīng. I've been to Beijing before.
- 他曾经是我的老师。 Tā céngjīng shì wǒ de lǎoshī. He used to be my teacher.
- 我已经吃过饭了。 Wǒ yǐjīng chī guo fàn le. I've already eaten.