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之后 (zhī hòu) — after (a time or event); afterwards, later

Definition

之后 is a formal, written 'after / afterwards', usually placed after a time phrase or clause. 比 以后 (spoken, 'from now on') and 后来 ('later' about past events) more bookish.

noun
after (a time or event)afterwardslater

Examples

  • 之后，。
    Chī wán wǎn fàn zhī hòu, wǒ men chū qù sàn bù.
    After finishing dinner, we go out for a walk.
  • 之后，。
    Sān nián zhī hòu, wǒ men yòu zài tóng yí gè chéng shì jiàn miàn le.
    Three years later, we met again in the same city.
  • 之后，。
    zhī hòu, Tā zài yě méi lái guò zhè lǐ.
    Afterwards, he never came here again.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
前缀qiánzhuìPrefix

A fixed syllable in front that adds a shade of meaning but carries none of its own.

之zhīof
后hòuafter

The 之 connects a time or event to 后, to mean after.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The shape pairs 止, a foot, with 一, a beginning place, and means to go.

Open 之 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 後; 后 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 後 showed 夊 (foot) bound by 幺 (thread), a foot caught by a rope and lagging behind; the simplified 后 is a later abbreviation, and 后 also has a different meaning.

Open 后 →

Grammar

Appears in
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