Ago 以前

I graduated from high school five years ago.

我五年前高中毕业。

Before（以前）

I think I’ve read this book before.

我想我以前读过这本书。

Once upon a time 从前

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who dreamed of becoming a pilot.

从前，有个小男孩梦想成为飞行员。

The past 过去

People in the past relied heavily on handwritten letters for communication.

过去的人们严重依赖手写信件进行交流。

At the time 当时

At the time, I didn’t understand why she was so upset, but now it makes sense.

当时我不明白她为何如此难过，但现在明白了。

Just now 刚才

He mentioned he’d left his keys just now, so he can’t get into his apartment.

他刚才说把钥匙落了，现在进不了公寓。

Then 那时

When I first moved to the city, I felt lonely, but things were different then.

我刚搬到这座城市时感到孤独，但那时情况不同。

From then on（从那时起）

From then on, we made a pact to support each other through thick and thin.

从那时起，我们约定无论顺境逆境都要彼此支持。

Since 自从

Since retiring last year, my grandfather has been volunteering at the community center.

自去年退休后，爷爷一直在社区中心做志愿者。

Last week 上周

We attended a concert last week—The band played all their classic hits.

我们上周去听了音乐会——乐队演奏了所有经典曲目。

The week before last 上上周

I bought this vintage watch the week before last at a flea market.

我上上周在跳蚤市场买了这块老式手表。

The other day 几天前

Did you hear about the new café that opened? I walked past it the other day.

你听说那家新开的咖啡馆了吗？我几天前路过时看到了。

Yesterday 昨天

She called me yesterday to say she’d gotten the job offer.

她昨天打电话告诉我她拿到了录用通知。

The day before yesterday（前天）

We had a family BBQ the day before yesterday, and it rained halfway through.

前天我们家举办了烧烤聚会，中途突然下雨了。

Already 已经

The kids have already finished their homework and are playing outside.

孩子们已经写完作业，正在外面玩。

Ever 曾经

Has he ever told you about his experience living abroad?

他有没有和你讲过在国外生活的经历？

Once 曾经

There was a time when I once thought I’d never learn to cook.

曾经有一段时间，我以为自己永远学不会做饭。

Used to 过去常常

My dad used to smoke, but he quit when I was in middle school.

我爸爸过去常常抽烟，但我上初中时他戒了。

Ancient 古代的

The Terracotta Army is a collection of ancient clay sculptures from China’s Qin Dynasty.

兵马俑是中国秦朝的一组古代陶俑。

Medieval 中世纪的

Medieval knights often wore heavy armor to protect themselves in battles.

中世纪骑士在战斗中常穿厚重的盔甲保护自己。

In the Middle Ages（在中世纪）

In the Middle Ages, universities began to emerge across Europe.

在中世纪，欧洲各地开始出现大学。

Past 过去的

The past few months have been challenging, but we’ve grown stronger.

过去几个月充满挑战，但我们变得更坚强了。

Primitive 原始的

Primitive tribes used bones and shells as tools and decorations.

原始部落用骨头和贝壳作为工具和装饰品。

Former 以前的

She’s the former editor-in-chief of the magazine and now runs a publishing house.

她是杂志前主编，现在经营一家出版社。

Old 旧时的

He often looks at old photos and reminiscences about his childhood.

他经常翻看旧照片，回忆童年时光。