[](http://amzn.to/2iioVRP)
[](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Main_Page)
- [Main
Page](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Main_Page)
- [Learner
FAQ](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Learner_FAQ)
- [Grammar
Points](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Grammar_points_by_level)
- [Chinese
Keywords](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Keywords)
- [Word
Translations](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Translations)
- [Textbook
Index](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Chinese_textbook_grammar_index)
- [Chinese
Forums](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Forums)
- [Acknowledgments](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Acknowledgments)
- [Contact
Us](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Contact)
[]( "wikilink")
Useful Pages
- [Reading
Tools](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Tools)
- [Recent
changes](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:RecentChanges)
- [Random
page](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:Random)
- [Help](https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Help:Contents)
- [Newsletter](http://resources.allsetlearning.com/)
- []( "wikilink")
Tools
-
[What links
here](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:WhatLinksHere/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22)
-
[Related
changes](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:RecentChangesLinked/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22)
-
[Special
pages](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:SpecialPages)
-
[Printable
version](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22&printable=yes)
-
[Permanent
link](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22&oldid=42332)
-
[Page
information](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22de_shihou%22&action=info)
[](http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1286538933)
[](# "wikilink")
Comparing "yihou" and "de shihou"
=================================
[](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/ASGLNKZR)
-
Level
[B1](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/B1_grammar_points)
-
Similar to
- [After a specific time with
"yihou"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/After_a_specific_time_with_%22yihou%22) (A2)
- [Expressing "when" with "de
shihou"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22when%22_with_%22de_shihou%22) (A2)
- [Expressing "when" with
"shi"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22when%22_with_%22shi%22) (B1)
-
Used for
[Expressing time and
date](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_time_and_date),
[Sequencing events in
time](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Sequencing_events_in_time),
[Indicating
conditions](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Indicating_conditions)
-
Keywords
[以后](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E4%BB%A5%E5%90%8E),
[的时候](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E7%9A%84%E6%97%B6%E5%80%99),
[时候](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E6%97%B6%E5%80%99)
-
Translations
[when](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/When),
[after](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/After)
Contents
--------
[hide]([# "wikilink")\]
- [1
Structure](#Structure "wikilink")
- [2
以后](#.E4.BB.A5.E5.90.8E "wikilink")
- [2.1
Examples](#Examples "wikilink")
- [3
的时候](#.E7.9A.84.E6.97.B6.E5.80.99 "wikilink")
- [3.1
Examples](#Examples_2 "wikilink")
- [4 Similar
Usage](#Similar_Usage "wikilink")
- [4.1
Examples](#Examples_3 "wikilink")
- [5 See
also](#See_also "wikilink")
- [6 Sources and
further reading](#Sources_and_further_reading "wikilink")
- [6.1
Books](#Books "wikilink")
- [6.2
Videos](#Videos "wikilink")
Subj. + Verb + 以后／的时候，⋯⋯
The difference comes in what they actually mean.
以后
-------------------------------------------------------------
[以后](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/After_a_specific_time)
technically means after, so it is used *after* the action is completed.
This can be seen as a way of saying "When you are done (verb)ing."
### Examples
- 下 飞机 *以后* 给 我 打电话 。 Xià fēijī
*yǐhòu* gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuàGive me a call
after you get off the plane.
- 来 中国 *以后* 我 才 发现 中国 菜 那么 好吃 。
Lái Zhōngguó *yǐhòu* wǒ cái fāxiàn Zhōngguó cài
nàme hào chī. Only when I got to China
did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.
- 毕业 *以后* 我 打算 去 上海 工作 。Bìyè *yǐhòu*
wǒ dǎsuàn qù Shànghǎi gōngzuò. I plan to
find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.
- 结婚 *以后* 你 想 继续 工作 吗 ？Jiéhūn *yǐhòu*
nǐ xiǎng jìxù gōngzuò ma?Do you want to
keep working after you get married?
的时候
------------------------------------------------------------------------
的时候 means "when" in the sense of [during an
action](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/At_the_time_when).
For example, "when you play ball" can be seen as "when you are playing
ball." It is this sort of difference that can make 以后 and 的时候
slightly confusing at times.
### Examples
- 吃饭 *的时候* 看 电视 容易 长 胖 。 Chīfàn *de
shíhòu* kàn diànshì róngyì zhǎng pàng.
Watching TV while you eat can make you
fat easily.
- 工作 *的时候* 不要 上网 聊天 。Gōngzuò *de
shíhòu* bùyào shàngwǎng liáotiān. Don't
chat online when you're at work.
- 无聊 *的时候* 可以 做 些 什么 ？Wúliáo *de
shíhòu* kěyǐ zuò xiē shénme? What can
you do when you're bored?
的时候 is also similar to using [the 一边
structure](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Simultaneous_tasks_with_%22yibian%22).
However, 一边 uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候"
can use sub-conscious or unexpected actions.
Similar Usage
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Now we get to a really confusing part! There are instances where *both*
以后 and 的时候 could work and still mean the same thing. These are
times when there isn't really a duration, it just happens in an instant.
For example, "when you see her." This means, "as soon as you see her,"
so there is only one point where you first see a person. In this case,
you can use either one.
### Examples
- 雨 停 了 *的时候*，我们 就 去 公园 玩。Yǔ tíng
le *de shíhòu* , wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán
wán.When it stops raining, we'll go play
in the park.
- 雨 停 了 *以后*，我们 就 去 公园 玩。Yǔ tíngle
*yǐhòu* , wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán. When
it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.
- 商店 关门 的 *时候*，你 再 来 找 我。Shāngdiàn
guānmén de *shíhòu* , nǐ zàilái zhǎo
wǒ.Come to find me when the shop is
closed.
- 商店 关门 了 *以后*，你 再 来 找 我。Shāngdiàn
guānmén le *yǐhòu* , nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ.
Come to find me when the shop is closed.
See also
-------------------------------------------------------
- [After a specific
time](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/After_a_specific_time)
- [At the time
when](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/At_the_time_when)
- [Simultaneous tasks with
"yibian"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Simultaneous_tasks_with_%22yibian%22)
- [Comparing "yihou" and
"zhihou"](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22yihou%22_and_%22zhihou%22)
Sources and further reading
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
### Books
- [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2
(3rd ed)](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_2_(3rd_ed)) (pp.
293-4) [→buy](http://amzn.to/2femBuy)
### Videos
- [Yoyo Chinese Grammar "When you get
home"](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v469o3lXaYk)
[Categories](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:Categories):
- [Grammar
comparison](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/gramwiki/?title=Category:Grammar_comparison&action=edit&redlink=1)
- [B1 grammar
points](https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Category:B1_grammar_points)
[](http://amzn.to/2iioVRP)
Retrieved from
"