Before and after can be expressed using 之前 (zhīqián) and 之后 (zhīhòu). They are in relatively the same vein as 以前/以后, except that these two are adverbs, while 之前/之后 are prepositions. Don't forget that these two are talking about before and after in terms of time.
Contents
- Structure
- Examples
- See also
- Sources and further reading
- Books
Structure
Examples
- 下班之前，经理给我们开了一个会议。 Xiàbān zhīqián, jīnglǐ gěi wǒmen kāi le yī gè huìyì.
Before I got off work, the manager assembled a meeting with us.
- 来 中国 之前 ，我 的 汉语 水平 很 低。 Lái Zhōngguó zhīqián, wǒ de Hànyǔ shuǐpíng hěn dī.
Before I came to China, my Chinese was bad.
- 吃 完 饭 之后 ，他们 去 了 一家 电影院。 Chī wán fàn zhīhòu, tāmen qù le yī jiā diànyǐngyuàn.
After they finished eating, they went to a movie theater.
- 去 北京 之后 ，他 和 他的 女朋友 分手了。 Qù Běijīng zhīhòu, tā hé tā de nǚpéngyou fēnshǒu le.
After he went to Beijing, he broke up with his girlfriend.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books