NounsHSK 4
Expressing "before" and "after" with 之前 and 之后
Place 之前 or 之后 directly after an event (a verb phrase or time word) to express 'before' or 'after' that event. The event comes first, without any 的, and the whole phrase can start or end a sentence.
Structure
Event + 之前 / 之后 ，⋯⋯
The event can be a noun, a verb phrase, or a time expression; no 的 is used.
Examples
- 来中国之前，我的汉语很一般。Lái Zhōngguó zhīqián , wǒ de Hànyǔ hěn yībān.Before I came to China, my Chinese was really mediocre.
- 下班之后给我打个电话。Xiàbān zhīhòu gěi wǒ dǎ gè diànhuà.Give me a call after you get off work.
- 吃完饭之后去看电影吧？Chī wán fàn zhīhòu qù kàn diànyǐng ba?What about going to the movies after eating dinner?
- 出国之前，他和女朋友分手了。Chūguó zhīqián , tā hé nǚpéngyou fēnshǒu le.Before he went abroad, he broke up with his girlfriend.
- 她每天放学之后都要去上钢琴课。Tā měi tiān fàngxué zhīhòu dōu yào qù shàng gāngqín kè.She needs to go to piano lessons every day after school.