It doesn't really have a meaning by itself... It kinda means: because; by means of; compared with; in view of; 以下 (ika) means 1: not exceeding; and downward; ... and below; 2: below (e.g. standard); under (e.g. a level); 3: the below-mentioned; the following; the rest 以後 (igo) means 1: after this; from now on; hereafter; 2: thereafter; since (verb) (after -te form of verb); after (time); since (then) 以下 (ige) means 1: not exceeding; and downward; ... and below; 2: below (e.g. standard); under (e.g. a level); 3: the below-mentioned; the following; the rest And, there are lots more... Sentences include: 以上ですか。 Is that all? ２０人以上の人。 Better than 20 people. 最大２００語以内に。 Maximum length: 200 words 以来ずっと友人です。 We have been best friends ever since. Hope this helps! If you have any more questions, or need any more help with this, please let me know! ^-^ ~Megumi

in chinese we use 以too...lol..and in chinese 以means use or by means of...ohh im sorry to answer u the chinese meaning,,,but i cant help answering it when i see this chinese character

This is a type of question that hard for us to answer since the question has no example; however Megumi is explaining correctly. In most of the time, this character would be used with another word such as 以上、以内、以外.. In all those case, "以" were used to show some particular points. For ex, "If it goes over this particular points" => 以上。　 "If it goes out of this particular suppose" => 以外　 "If it stays( or goes under) in this particular point" => 以内.. Hope you are finding the rule of using it..

Both Megumi and Lily are right. 以 has multiple meanings. You will get more accurate answer if you could give the actual word or sentence.