Chinese word

以后

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǐ hòu

Meaning

  • adverbfrom now on

Example

以后我们得开始准备了。yǐ hòu wǒ men děi kāi shǐ zhǔn bèi le

From now on, we need to start preparing.

Illustration for 以后 (from now on)

More examples

以后我不想再拖延了。yǐ hòu wǒ bù xiǎng zài tuō yán le

From now on, I don't want to put it off anymore.

Core concept

A time line that extends beyond a chosen point, including what happens soon afterward and far in the future.

Common phrases

  • 以后不要迟到yǐ hòu bú yào chí dào

    don't be late from now on

  • 以后多练习yǐ hòu duō liàn xí

    practice more from now on

  • 以后有时间再说yǐ hòu yǒu shí jiān zài shuō

    talk about it later if there's time

Similar words

将来jiāng lái: Refers to the long-term future, including the later part of life.
一会儿yí huìr: Refers to a very short time from now, usually meaning soon or in a little while.
后来hòu lái: Describes what happens after an earlier event, especially when telling a story.
将要jiāng yào: Shows that an action or event is about to happen in the near future.

Definition in Chinese

某一时点之后的时间，总称将来发生或持续的事，既可指近时也可指远期。mǒu yì shí diǎn zhī hòu de shí jiān zǒng chēng jiāng lái fā shēng huò chí xù de shì jì kě zhǐ jìn shí yě kě zhǐ yuǎn qī

Word origin

以 (yǐ, "by or from") + 后 (hòu, "after or behind") forms a time word for the period beyond a reference point.

Usage tips

  • 以后 (yǐhòu, "afterward") appears naturally in plans about school, work, or growing up, so it is not limited to events happening in the next few minutes.

Other meanings

  • lateradverb
  • the futurenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word