▎曾經, céngjīng, (Adv), experience in the past, V’ed before

 

Function 曾經 is an adverb that refers to experiences in the past, to have previously.

1 你曾經看過那位導演的電影嗎？

Nǐ céngjīng kànguò nà wèi dǎoyǎn de diànyǐng ma?

Have you ever seen any films done by that director?

2 媽媽以前曾經抱怨過爸爸每天都早出晚歸。

Māma yǐqián céngjīng bàoyuànguò bàba měi tiān dōu zǎochū wǎnguī.

Mom has complained about dad having to leave so early and come home so late.

3 我曾經在一家室內設計公司工作。

Wǒ céngjīng zài yì jiā shìnèi shèjì gōngsī gōngzuò.

I have worked at an interior design company before.

4 他的演技很好，曾經得過兩次獎。

Tā de yǎnjì hěn hǎo, céngjīng déguò liǎng cì jiǎng.

He’s a brilliant actor, and he’s won two awards before.

5 你曾經在淡水老街看過街頭藝術的演出嗎？

Nǐ céngjīng zài Dànshuǐ lǎojiē kànguò jiētóu yìshù de yǎnchū ma?

Have you ever seen the street artists performing on Danshui Old Street?

 

Usage

(1) 過 is an experiential aspect, which can be used with 曾經. 過 always appears after the main verb, e.g., 他曾經當過英文老師。Tā céngjīng dāngguò Yīngwén lǎoshī.

(2) 曾經 can only be used in an affirmative sentence.

You can’t say

＊我沒有曾經工作。

＊Wǒ méi yǒu céngjīng gōngzuò.

＊他曾經沒去過西班牙。

＊Tā céngjīng méi qùguò Xībānyá.

(3) 曾經 is used in formal speech, e.g.,

我記得你曾經跟我說過你的計畫。

Wǒ jìde nǐ céngjīng gēn wǒ shuōguò nǐ de jìhuà.