After a specific time with "yǐhòu" "以后"
Just as 以前 (yǐqián) can be used to describe the events before a specific time, 以后 (yǐhòu) can be used to describe the events after a specific time.
Structure
This grammar structure is similar to the English "after such-and-such, something happens." It's quite simple, all you have to do is put the "after" after the time words or time phrase.
The time can be a time or date, or an action or event. It may or may not be in the future.
Examples
- 下午 三点 以后， 我 不 在 家。
Xiàwǔ sāndiǎn yǐhòu, wǒ bù zài jiā.
After three p.m., I will not be at home.
- 来 中国 以后， 她 认识 了 她 的 老公。
Lái Zhōngguó yǐhòu, tā rènshi le tā de lǎogōng.
After coming to China, she met her husband.
- 她 一个月 以后 开始 上班。
Tā yī gè yuè yǐhòu kāishǐ shàngbān.
After one month, she will start working.
- 吃 完 午饭 以后 ， 我们 要 开会。
Chī wán wǔfàn yǐhòu, wǒmen yào kāihuì.
We are going to have a meeting after we finish lunch.
- 几年 以后 ，我们 公司 会 更 大。
Jǐ nián yǐhòu, wǒmen gōngsī huì gèng dà.
In a few years, our company will be even bigger.
- 老板 半个小时 以后 回来。
Lǎobǎn bàn gè xiǎoshí yǐhòu huílái.
After half an hour, the boss will return.
- 下班 以后你 想 跟 我们 一起 去 打球 吗?
Xiàbān yǐhòu, nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒmen yīqǐ qù dǎqiú ma?
After we get off work, would you like to go play ball with us?
- 老板 来 了 以后 ，大家 都 不 说话 了。
Lǎobǎn lái le yǐhòu dàjiā dōu bù shuōhuà le.
After the boss came, everyone stopped talking.
- 你 到家 以后 给 我 打电话。
Nǐ dào jiā yǐhòu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
After you get home, call me.
- 结婚 以后 爸爸 不 喝酒 了。
Jiéhūn yǐhòu bàba bù hējiǔ le.
After he got married, dad stopped drinking.
Note that this use of 以后 (yǐhòu) is often shortened to 后 (hòu).
See also
Sources and further reading
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (p. 261)