<p>A very formal way to translate this word is “追(zhuī)朔(shuò)到(dào)”。</p>

<p>For example: 
中(Zhōnɡ)国(ɡuó)的(de)历(lì)史(shǐ)可(kě)以(yǐ)追(zhuī)朔(shuò)到(dào) 5000 年(nián)以(yǐ)前(qián)。
( China’s history dates back to 5000 years ago.)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-23T16:58:39.267Z
The dictionary pronunciation for 溯 is su4, not shuo4, although I'm sure they're both used in practice (My pinyin IME recognizes zhuisudao and zhuishuodao as "追溯到")
Stumpy Joe Pete
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-23T09:40:41.927Z
2013-10-23T09:40:41.927Z
TaraWordoor
<p>'Dates back to' is usually translated into '追溯到', which literally means 'trace back to'.</p>
<p>When used in a sentence, people usually add 可以 (can/may) or 要 (have to) before 追溯到, for example:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>这个城堡<b>要追溯到</b>罗马时代。
(The history of) this castle dates back to Roman times.</p>
<p>这个家族的历史<b>可以追溯到</b>十七世纪。This family can trace its history back to the 17th century.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-21T04:53:27.620Z
@Rowan please mark it as answer if it answered your question:)
NS.X.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-10-20T04:50:35.373Z
2013-10-20T04:50:35.373Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
NS.X.
<p>What is the best way of expressing 'dates back to' in Mandarin? e.g. the family's lineage dates back to 1720..etc</p>

<mandarin><grammar>
How do you say 'dates back to' in Mandarin?
# How do you say 'dates back to' in Mandarin?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-10-20)

What is the best way of expressing 'dates back to' in Mandarin? e.g. the family's lineage dates back to 1720..etc

**Tags:** mandarin, grammar


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-10-20. Score: 8 | Accepted answer

'Dates back to' is usually translated into '追溯到', which literally means 'trace back to'.

When used in a sentence, people usually add 可以 (can/may) or 要 (have to) before 追溯到, for example:

> 这个城堡**要追溯到**罗马时代。
> (The history of) this castle dates back to Roman times.
>
> 这个家族的历史**可以追溯到**十七世纪。This family can trace its history back to the 17th century.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: @username_0 please mark it as answer if it answered your question:)  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2013-10-23. Score: 0

A very formal way to translate this word is “追(zhuī)朔(shuò)到(dào)”。

For example:
中(Zhōnɡ)国(ɡuó)的(de)历(lì)史(shǐ)可(kě)以(yǐ)追(zhuī)朔(shuò)到(dào) 5000 年(nián)以(yǐ)前(qián)。
( China’s history dates back to 5000 years ago.)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: The dictionary pronunciation for 溯 is su4, not shuo4, although I'm sure they're both used in practice (My pinyin IME recognizes zhuisudao and zhuishuodao as "追溯到")  

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