While both 以后 (yǐhòu) and 后来 (hòulái) can mean "after," they have distinct uses.

以后 is used for the future in general

以后 is used when talking about things that happen at some unspecified point in the future.

Structure

Examples

以后，我打算去中国找工作。 Yǐhòu, wǒ dǎsuàn qù Zhōngguó zhǎo gōngzuò.
Later, I plan to go to China to look for work.
他以后不想住在日本。 Tā yǐhòu bù xiǎng zhù zài Rìběn.
He doesn't want to live in Japan later.
我以后想自己开公司。 Wǒ yǐhòu xiǎng zìjǐ kāi gōngsī.
I want to start up my own business later.

以后 is used for things occurring after a specific time

以后 can be used to describe actions or events that occur after a specific time (and the time must be given).

Structure

Note that the time can be specific (like a date or time) or broad (like an event, action, or occurrence).

Examples

两个星期以后，我要回美国。 Liǎng gè xīngqī yǐhòu, wǒ yào huí Měiguó.
After two weeks, I'm going to return to the USA.
老板一个小时以后回来。 Lǎobǎn yī gè xiǎoshí yǐhòu huílái. The boss will come back in an hour.
从那以后，我再也没见过她。 Cóng nà yǐhòu, wǒ zài yě méi jiàn guo tā.
After that time, I never saw her again.

后来 is used for sequencing past events

后来 is used to sequence two events that have already occurred. It is the Chinese equivalent of the English word "afterward."

Past Event 1 + 后来 + Past Event 2

去年我们分手了，后来再也没见过她。 Qùnián wǒmen fēnshǒu le, hòulái zài yě méi jiàn guo tā.
We broke up last year, after that, I never saw her again.
他小时候住在我家附近，后来他搬家了。 Tā xiǎoshíhou zhù zài wǒ jiā fùjìn, hòulái tā bānjiā le.
He lived in my neighborhood when he was young. Then he moved.
他在我们公司工作过两年，后来换工作了。 Tā zài wǒmen gōngsī gōngzuò guo liǎng nián, hòulái huàn gōngzuò le.
He worked for our company for two years. Then he changed his job.

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