从前: 1. previously2. formerly3. in former timesRelative explainations: Examples:1. 从前人们在手术前用乙醚来使病人昏睡。 Ether was used formerly to put a patient to sleep before an operation.2. 从前, 有一位非常美丽的公主。 Once upon a time, there lived a princess who was very beautiful. 3. 从前, 在一个小村庄里住着一位老人。 Once upon a time, there was an old man living in a small village.4. 我从前没有见过他。 I hadn't seen him previously.5. 从前医生常常给病人放血. Doctors used to bleed people when they were ill.6. 从前有个美丽的公主.... Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess...7. 从前有一个公主. Once upon a time there was a princess.8. 这本书从前很出名, 现在没人看了. This book was once famous, but nobody reads it today. 从前的主编the whilom editor in chief.遥远的从前the far past.我们从前的同伴our erstwhile companions.
