以后

yǐ hòu

HSK 2.0 Level 3 HSK 3.0 Level 3 Noun Very common

Definitions

1. after
2. later
3. afterwards
4. following
5. later on
6. in the future

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 之前 zhī qián 之前 zhī qián before 时间顺序上的相反: before

Related words

2 items

• 后来 hòu lái 后来 hòu lái 表示在过去某个时间之后，常用于叙述过去事件: 表示在过去某个时间之后，常用于叙述过去事件
• 然后 rán hòu 然后 rán hòu then; after that; afterwards 表示紧接着某个动作或事件之后，侧重于动作先后: then; after that; afterwards

Usage notes

Common mistakes

以后 can refer to both past and future, but when talking about a specific time after now, use 以后 (e.g., 从今以后). Do not use 以后 alone to mean 'in the future' without a starting point like 以后 + action.

Formality

以后 is neutral and suitable for both spoken and written Chinese, while 此后 is more formal and mainly written.

Example Sentences

5 shown

毕业 以后 ，我们就分别了。

After graduation, we parted ways.

他失业 以后 ，开始学习新的技能。

After he lost his job, he started learning new skills.

他老了 以后 生活不能自理了。

He could not take care of himself in his old age.

他们分手 以后 还是朋友。

They remained friends after breaking up.

我们吃饭 以后 去看电影吧。

After we eat, let's go watch a movie.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 以后

从今以后

cóng jīn yǐ hòu

Child Words of 以后

• 以 以 yǐ: to use
• 后 后 hòu: empress