{{Grammar Box}} Just as [[Before a specific time with "yiqian"|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.
Time / Verb + 以后, ....
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== *[[Before a specific time]] *[[In the future in general]] *[[At the time when]] *[[Before and after with "zhiqian" and "zhihou"]] == Sources and further reading == * [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (p. 261) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy] [[Category:A2 grammar points]] {{Used for|Expressing time and date}} {{Used for|Sequencing events in time}} {{Basic Grammar|以后|A2|Time / Verb + 以后|10点 以后 ，我 不 在 家。|grammar point|ASGRLQGY}} {{Rel char|以}} {{Rel char|后}} {{Similar|Before a time}} {{Similar|In the future in general}} {{Similar|At the time when}} {{Similar|Comparing "yihou" "houlai"}} {{Similar|Before a time}} {{Similar|Comparing "yihou" and "deshihou"}} {{Similar|Comparing "yihou" and "zhihou"}} {{POS|Nouns}} {{Translation|later}} {{Translation|after}}