zhīhòu: 之后 - After, Afterwards, Later

• Keywords: 之后, zhihou, zhi hou, Chinese for after, Chinese for later, 之后 vs 以后, zhihou vs yihou, Chinese grammar time, sequence words Chinese, HSK 2 grammar
• Summary: Learn how to use “之后” (zhīhòu), the essential Chinese word for “after” or “afterwards.” This guide breaks down its meaning, structure, and practical use in daily conversation. We'll explore how it differs from the similar word “以后” (yǐhòu) and provide over 10 clear example sentences to show you how to sequence events like a native speaker. Master “之后” to talk about your plans, tell stories, and understand time in Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhīhòu
• Part of Speech: Time Noun, Adverb, Conjunction
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: After a specific point in time or event; afterwards.
• In a Nutshell: “之后” (zhīhòu) is your go-to word for saying “after” something specific has happened. Think of it as a marker that connects an event to what comes next. If you can say “after [the event],” you can almost always use “[the event] 之后”. It creates a clear, logical sequence of time.

• 之 (zhī): This is a versatile grammatical particle. In this context, it functions like the English possessive “'s” or the word “of”. It links the noun or event that comes before it to the concept of “after”.
• 后 (hòu): This character simply means “after,” “back,” or “behind.” Its pictograph origin relates to walking and being last in a line.

When you combine them, `(Event) + 之后` literally means “the after of the event,” making it a very logical way to structure a sentence.

While “之后” itself isn't a deep cultural term like 关系 (guānxi), its structure reveals something about Chinese linguistic patterns: a preference for clear, topic-comment sentence structures. In English, we can say “We'll go to the park after lunch.” The time reference comes at the end. In Chinese, it's more common to establish the time context first: `午饭之后，我们去公园。` (Wǔfàn zhīhòu, wǒmen qù gōngyuán) — literally, “Lunch after, we go to the park.” This “set the scene first, then describe the action” pattern is fundamental in Chinese. Mastering `之后` helps you adopt this natural-sounding sentence flow, making your Chinese sound less like a direct English translation. It reflects a way of thinking that prioritizes context before content.

“之后” is an extremely common, neutral word used in all forms of communication, from casual chats to formal business emails.

• Specifying Time After an Event: This is its most common use. The structure is always `[Noun/Verb Phrase] + 之后`.
  • `下班之后` (xiàbān zhīhòu) - after getting off work
  • `考试之后` (kǎoshì zhīhòu) - after the exam
  • `三年之后` (sān nián zhīhòu) - after three years
• Connecting Clauses: It can act like “and afterwards” or “and then” to link two separate actions or events in a sequence.
  • `我们先吃饭，之后去看电影。` (Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, zhīhòu qù kàn diànyǐng.) - We'll eat first, and afterwards, go see a movie.
• Formality: “之后” is a neutral term, appropriate for virtually any situation. It's neither overly formal nor slang.

• Example 1:
  • 我们吃完晚饭之后去散步吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen chī wán wǎnfàn zhīhòu qù sànbù ba.
  • English: Let's go for a walk after we finish dinner.
  • Analysis: This shows the most common structure: `[Verb Phrase] + 之后`. The event is “finish dinner,” and the subsequent action is “go for a walk.”
• Example 2:
  • 会议结束之后，请把报告发给我。
  • Pinyin: Huìyì jiéshù zhīhòu, qǐng bǎ bàogào fā gěi wǒ.
  • English: After the meeting ends, please send the report to me.
  • Analysis: A common example in a formal or work-related context. The time frame is clearly defined by the end of the meeting.
• Example 3:
  • 来中国之后，我的中文进步了很多。
  • Pinyin: Lái Zhōngguó zhīhòu, wǒ de Zhōngwén jìnbù le hěn duō.
  • English: After coming to China, my Chinese improved a lot.
  • Analysis: Here, “之后” refers to the entire period of time after the specific event of “coming to China.”
• Example 4:
  • 你需要先完成作业，之后才能玩游戏。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào xiān wánchéng zuòyè, zhīhòu cái néng wán yóuxì.
  • English: You need to finish your homework first, only afterwards can you play games.
  • Analysis: “之后” is used here to connect two clauses and establish a clear condition. The word `才 (cái)` emphasizes that the second action can only happen after the first.
• Example 5:
  • 他说了那句话之后，马上就后悔了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō le nà jù huà zhīhòu, mǎshàng jiù hòuhuǐ le.
  • English: Right after he said that, he immediately regretted it.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how “之后” can be paired with adverbs like `马上 (mǎshàng)` to mean “immediately after.”
• Example 6:
  • 大学毕业之后，你有什么打算？
  • Pinyin: Dàxué bìyè zhīhòu, nǐ yǒu shénme dǎsuàn?
  • English: What are your plans for after you graduate from university?
  • Analysis: A very common question about future plans, anchored to the specific life event of graduation.
• Example 7:
  • 这次失败之后，他学到了宝贵的一课。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì shībài zhīhòu, tā xuédào le bǎoguì de yī kè.
  • English: After this failure, he learned a valuable lesson.
  • Analysis: Shows how “之后” can be used to reflect on the consequences of a past event.
• Example 8:
  • 我先去银行，之后去超市。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiān qù yínháng, zhīhòu qù chāoshì.
  • English: I'll go to the bank first, and afterwards to the supermarket.
  • Analysis: Here, “之后” stands alone to mean “afterwards,” connecting a sequence of planned actions.
• Example 9:
  • 我们需要讨论之后再做决定。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào tǎolùn zhīhòu zài zuò juédìng.
  • English: We need to make a decision after we discuss it.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of process-oriented thinking. The decision (`做决定`) happens only “after” the discussion (`讨论`).
• Example 10:
  • 手术之后，病人需要好好休息。
  • Pinyin: Shǒushù zhīhòu, bìngrén xūyào hǎohǎo xiūxī.
  • English: After the surgery, the patient needs to rest well.
  • Analysis: A clear, objective statement using “之后” to link a medical procedure to the necessary recovery steps.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 之后 (zhīhòu) and 以后 (yǐhòu). They often both translate to “after,” but they are not always interchangeable. Rule of Thumb:

• 之后 (zhīhòu): Use for a specific, concrete point in time or event. Think: “After this specific thing.”
• 以后 (yǐhòu): Can be used for a specific event (like 之后), but is also used for the general, indefinite future. Think: “from now on” or “in the future.”

When you MUST use 以后 (yǐhòu): When talking about the general future, not anchored to a specific preceding event.

• Correct: `以后请多关照。` (Yǐhòu qǐng duō guānzhào.) - Please take care of me in the future / from now on.
• Incorrect: `~~之后请多关照。~~` (This sounds strange, as there's no specific event it's “after.”)

When they are interchangeable: When referring to a specific point in time, you can often use either, but 之后 is slightly more common for immediate, concrete events.

• Both OK: `午饭之后我们出发。` (Wǔfàn zhīhòu wǒmen chūfā.) - We'll leave after lunch.
• Both OK: `午饭以后我们出发。` (Wǔfàn yǐhòu wǒmen chūfā.) - We'll leave after lunch.
• Mistake to Avoid: Don't use “之后” to mean “from now on.” Always use “以后” for that concept.

• 以后 (yǐhòu) - The most similar term. Can mean “after a specific event” (like 之后) but also means “in the future” or “from now on.”
• 之前 (zhīqián) - The direct antonym of 之后. It means “before a specific point in time.”
• 以前 (yǐqián) - The direct antonym of 以后. It means “before” or “in the past.”
• 后来 (hòulái) - Means “afterwards” or “later on,” but is used only for narrating a sequence of events in the past. You cannot use it for the future.
• 然后 (ránhòu) - Means “then” or “and then.” It emphasizes a tight, immediate sequence of actions, more so than 之后. (e.g., First I do A, then I do B).
• 今后 (jīnhòu) - A more formal way to say “from now on” or “in the days to come.” Similar to `从今以后`.
• 当时 (dāngshí) - Means “at that time,” referring to a specific moment in the past, often to provide context for an action.