HSK 4
（自）⋯⋯以来
（ zì ） ⋯ ⋯ yǐ lái
Since... up to now
Explanation
The structure （自）⋯⋯以来 means 'from... (a point in the past) up to now', used to indicate a period of time beginning from a point in time or an event in the past and continuing uninterrupted up to the present.
(自 zì) + [point in time / event] + 以来 (yǐlái) + [the ongoing situation]. 自 (zì = from) may be omitted, but 以来 (yǐlái) must always be kept at the end of the time-point phrase.
when saying that a state/action has been maintained all the way from a starting point until now; often accompanied by 一直 (yìzhí = all along) or 每天 (měitiān = every day) to stress continuity.
Vietnamese learners often forget 以来 or place it in the wrong spot; remember 以来 must come RIGHT AFTER the phrase indicating the starting point (上大学以来 is correct, not 以来上大学). In addition, 以来 is only used for a span that has continued up to the present, not for future matters.
Examples
Since last year up to now, I have been living in Beijing all along.
Since entering university, he has all along persisted in studying Chinese.
Since having a child, she has been very busy every day.
Practice
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Learn “（自）⋯⋯以来” effectively
The grammar point “（自）⋯⋯以来” (Since... up to now) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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