How to use 以上、以下、以内、以外
Amount / Level + 以上 / 以下 / 以内 / 以外
以上 and 以下 follow an amount or level to establish a lower or upper bound. 以内 describes a range within a limit, while 以外 refers beyond it. The phrase can modify a noun with 的 or form part of a predicate. These expressions apply to quantities, distances, periods, and levels, with interpretation shaped by the measurement involved.
Boundary inclusion must be handled carefully. 以上, 以下, and 以内 commonly include the stated boundary in formal definitions, while everyday usage and specific conventions can vary. Do not teach a universal rule that all exclude the endpoint. When an exact cutoff matters, check the explicit definition or state whether the boundary value is included rather than relying on an ambiguous English translation.
Examples with pinyin and English
十岁以下的孩子不用买票。
Children under the age of 10 do not need to buy tickets.
我们需要有两年以上工作经验的人。
We need people with two years of working experience or more.
我老家空气还不错，PM2.5 一般在五十以下。
The air in my hometown is good. The PM 2.5 level is generally under 50.
这里的冬天气温都在零度以下。
The winter temperatures here go below zero.
两天以内必须完成。
Must be completed within two days.
请你站在两米以外的地方。
Please stand more than two meters away.
What to remember
- Put the boundary amount before the limit word.
- 以内 means within the relevant range.
- Clarify inclusion when an exact cutoff matters.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.