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.
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
Sources and further reading
Category:A2 grammar points