Chinese word

后果

Pronunciation

Pinyinhòu guǒ

Meaning

  • nounconsequence

Example

你没考虑后果，现在后悔了。nǐ méi kǎo lǜ hòu guǒ xiàn zài hòu huǐ le

You did not consider the consequences, and now you regret it.

Illustration for 后果 (consequence)

More examples

如果不及时处理，可能会有严重的后果。rú guǒ bù jí shí chú lǐ kě néng huì yǒu yán zhòng de hòu guǒ

If it is not handled promptly, there could be serious consequences.

Core concept

A later result of an action, viewed as something that may bring harm or responsibility.

Common phrases

  • 严重的后果yán zhòng de hòu guǒ

    severe consequences

  • 承担后果chéng dān hòu guǒ

    face the consequences

  • 考虑后果kǎo lǜ hòu guǒ

    consider the consequences

Similar words

结果jié guǒ: The state or outcome reached after something happens or someone acts.
影响yíng xiǎng: The influence or change that something has on its surroundings.

Definition in Chinese

某一决定或行为在之后显现的结果和影响，既可表事实结局，也常带有强调不利影响或需要承担责任的语感。mǒu yì jué dìng huò xíng wéi zài zhī hòu xiǎn xiàn de jié guǒ hé yíng xiǎng jì kě biǎo shì shí jié jú yě cháng dài yǒu qiáng diào bú lì yíng xiǎng huò xū yào chéng dān zé rèn de yú gǎn

Word origin

后果 (hòuguǒ, "consequence") combines 后 (hòu, "after") with 果 (guǒ, "result"), presenting what comes afterward as the outcome of an earlier action.

Usage tips

  • Although the word can describe any later result, everyday conversation often gives it a warning tone, so it fits discussions of harm and accountability better than neutral descriptions of success.

Other meanings

  • repercussionnoun
  • aftermathnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word