I like to review Mandarin concepts with my students to both solidify their understanding of the concept and push their confidence when applying it in real life conversations. I also think it’s a great way to pick up new vocabulary as well. Check out below to review the concept **以后 (yǐhòu) and 之后 (zhīhòu) “after” or “in the future.”**
*Note that the difference between 以后 (yǐhòu) and 之后 (zhīhòu) is mainly a matter of formality. 以后 (yǐhòu) is more commonly used in spoken or informal contexts, while 之后 (zhīhòu) is used more often in written or formal contexts.
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**Using 以后 (yǐhòu) to describe the events after a specific time**
Grammar structure: Time / Verb + 以后, ….
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* 明天以后我不再喝咖啡了。
* Míngtiān yǐhòu wǒ bù zài hē kāfēi le.
* I won’t drink coffee anymore after tomorrow.
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* 她明天上午九点以后就要开始工作了。
* Tā míngtiān shàngwǔ jiǔ diǎn yǐhòu jiù yào kāishǐ gōngzuò le.
* She will start work after nine o’clock tomorrow morning.
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*Note we can also just use 后 hòu
* 你吃完饭后可以去散步。
* Nǐ chī wán fàn hòu kěyǐ qù sànbù.
* You can go for a walk after you finish eating.
*Note the distinction bewtween 吃完饭 chī wán fàn meaning to finish eating and 吃晚饭 chī wǎnfàn meaning to eat dinner.
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*Note to say ‘right after’ you can use 马上 mǎshàng
* 我下班以后马上去健身房。
* Wǒ xiàbān yǐhòu mǎshàng qù jiànshēnfáng.
* I’m going to the gym right after work.
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**Using 以后 to mean “from now on” or “from this point forward.**
Grammar structures:
以后 + Subj. + Verb + Obj.
Subj. + 以后 + Verb + Obj.
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* 我们以后要经常见面。
* Wǒmen yǐhòu yào jīngcháng jiànmiàn.
* We should see each other frequently from now on.
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* 以后我不会再犯同样的错误了。
* Yǐhòu wǒ bù huì zài fàn tóngyàng de cuòwù le.
* I won’t make the same mistake again from now on.
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* 以后你需要提前告诉我你的计划。
* Yǐhòu nǐ xūyào tíqián gàosu wǒ nǐ de jìhuà.
* You need to tell me your plans in advance from now on.
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**Dialogue using 以后 as both ‘after’ and ‘from now on’**
A: 下班以后你要做什么？
B: 以后我要去健身房锻炼。
A: 真的吗？你一般都是去酒吧喝酒。
B: 是的，但是以后我要改变我的生活方式。
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A: Xiàbān yǐhòu nǐ yào zuò shénme?
B: Yǐhòu wǒ yào qù jiànshēnfáng duànliàn.
A: Zhēn de ma? Nǐ yībān dōu shì qù jiǔbā hējiǔ.
B: Shì de, dànshì yǐhòu wǒ yào gǎibiàn wǒ de shēnghuó fāngshì.
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**Answer the following questions:**
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1. 下班以后通常做什么？
2. 你起床以后马上喝咖啡吗？
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**Translate the following phrases:**
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1. I want to be a teacher after I graduate college.
2. I’ll call my friend after I finish.
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Write your answers in the comments!
> 下班以后通常做什么？
因为我在家工作，所以大部分小时过得差不多。
> 你起床以后马上喝咖啡吗？
我听说起床就马上喝咖啡必然降低它的好作用，因此最好等待一个小时再喝。
> I want to be a teacher after I graduate college.
希望大学毕业了就能实现梦想当老师。
> I’ll call my friend after I finish.
我要先把任务完成再给朋友打电话。
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I didn’t follow the rules because I’m a contrary jerk, but just want to say: thanks for taking the time to put this post together. It’s a shame you didn’t get any other responses so far but I’m sure it will end up helping some people.