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HSK 2.0 Level 5+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

时间顺序 for Telling Events in Time Order

Organise a story or account in time order: anchor each step with a time word, and link the steps with 起初, 后来, 接着 and 终于.

Pattern

time word + event 1，(then) time word / 接着 / 后来 + event 2 …，最后 / 终于 + outcome

In a narrative, follow the order in which things happened. Start each step with a time expression and use linking words: 起初 for the beginning, 接着 for the next step, 后来 for a later stage, 终于 or 最后 for the end.

刚到中国的时候，我一句中文也听不懂。后来，我每天跟同学练习口语。半年以后，我已经能用中文买东西了。

When to use 时间顺序 for Telling Events in Time Order

时间顺序 means arranging what you say in the order things happened. It is the natural way to tell a story, describe a trip or recount an experience. Each step usually begins with a time expression placed before the verb, often at the start of the clause: 那天早上, 中午, 到了下午, 半年以后. Linking words show how the steps relate: 起初 or 开始 for how things were at first, 接着 for what came right after, 后来 for a later stage, 于是 for what happened as a result, and 最后 or 终于 for the end (终于 adds “at last, after a long wait”).

那天早上，我们七点就出发了。中午到了山脚下，吃过午饭开始爬山。傍晚，我们终于到了山顶。

That morning we set off at seven. At noon we reached the foot of the mountain and started climbing after lunch. In the evening we finally reached the top.

他先去银行取了钱，接着去超市买了些水果，最后才回家。

He went to the bank first, then went to the supermarket for some fruit, and only then went home.

起初，大家都不太习惯新的上课时间；过了一个月，就慢慢适应了。

At first nobody was used to the new class times, but after a month everyone gradually got used to them.

一下课，他就跑到操场去了。

As soon as class ended, he ran off to the sports ground.

Common traps

  • 后来 is only for the past; for plans and instructions use 然后: 明天先上课，然后去看电影.
  • Put time words before the verb, usually at the start of the clause: 中午我们到了山脚下, not 我们到了山脚下中午.
  • Don’t jump back in time without a marker; signal an earlier event with a phrase like 在这之前.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

，大家都不太习惯新的上课时间；过了一个月，就慢慢适应了

At first nobody was used to the new class times, but after a month everyone gradually got used to them
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