Using “以后” (yǐhòu) to Express “After” in Chinese Grammar

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Level: A2 / HSK1

Similar to:

• Before a specific time with “以前” (yǐqián) (A2)
• In the future in general with “以后” (A2)
• Comparing “以后” and “的时候” (de shíhòu) (B1)
• Comparing “以后,” “然后,” and “后来” (B2)
• Comparing “以后” and “之后” (B2)

Used for:

• Sequencing events in time
• Expressing time and date

Keywords:

• 以后 (yǐhòu)
• 后 (hòu)
• 以 (yǐ)

Just as 以前 (yǐqián) can be used to describe events before a specific time, 以后 (yǐhòu) can be used to describe 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” (以后) after the time words or time phrase.

Structure: 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

1. 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.
     
2. 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.
     
3. 她一个月以后开始上班。
   
   • Tā yī gè yuè yǐhòu kāishǐ shàngbān.
   • After one month, she will start working.
     
4. 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.
     
5. 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.
6. 老板半个小时以后回来。
   
   • Lǎobǎn bàn gè xiǎoshí yǐhòu huílái.
   • After half an hour, the boss will return.
     
7. 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?
     
8. 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.
     
9. 你到家以后给我打电话。
   
   • Nǐ dào jiā yǐhòu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
   • After you get home, call me.
     
10. 结婚以后爸爸不喝酒了。
    
    • Jiéhūn yǐhòu bàba bù hējiǔ le.
    • After he got married, dad stopped drinking.
      

By mastering the use of 以后 (yǐhòu), you can effectively sequence events and describe actions that happen after a specific time, which is crucial for clear and precise communication in Chinese.