How to Say “Five years ago” in Chinese
Time and dates · HSK 2
"Five years ago" in Chinese is 五年前 (wǔ nián qián). The pattern is [number] + 年前, and it's refreshingly simple; no measure word between 五 and 年 because 年 is itself a counter. Compare 五个月前 (five months ago), where 个 is needed before 月.
Primary translation
五年前
wǔ nián qián
When to use it
The pattern is [number] + 年前, and it's refreshingly simple; no measure word between 五 and 年 because 年 is itself a counter. Compare 五个月前 (five months ago), where 个 is needed before 月. 前 ('before/ago') goes at the end, so the whole phrase feels like 'five years-back.' Mainlanders often pair it with 那时候 (nà shíhou, 'back then') to set the scene: 五年前那时候… For the future equivalent, swap 前 for 后: 五年后 (in five years).
Example sentences
五年前我还在上大学。
Wǔ nián qián wǒ hái zài shàng dà xué.
Five years ago I was still in college.
这家店五年前就开了。
Zhè jiā diàn wǔ nián qián jiù kāi le.
This shop opened five years ago.
五年前的北京和现在很不一样。
Wǔ nián qián de Běi jīng hé xiàn zài hěn bù yí yàng.
Beijing five years ago was very different from now.