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后果 (hòu guǒ) — consequences (usually negative), aftermath

Definition

后果 is 'consequences' with a strongly negative slant — the bad aftermath of a choice or event. It is more negative than 结果 ('result/outcome', neutral), and heavier than the figurative sense of 后遗症 (long-term aftereffects of a specific incident).

noun
consequences (usually negative)aftermath

Examples

  • ，后果。
    Rú guǒ nǐ bú zhù yì ān quán, hòu guǒ huì hěn kě pà.
    If you don't pay attention to safety, the consequences will be frightening.
  • 后果。
    Tā zǎo jiù zhī dào zhè ge jué dìng de hòu guǒ le.
    He already knew the consequences of this decision a long time ago.
  • 后果。
    Xī yān de hòu guǒ kě néng huì yǐng xiǎng nǐ de jiàn kāng.
    The consequences of smoking may affect your health.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

后hòulater
果guǒresult

后 points to later and 果 to result, giving the result that comes later.

Characters in this word

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

果 originally drew fruits hanging on a tree.

Open 果 →
Appears in
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