后来

• Pinyin: hòu lái
• Hanzi breakdown: 后 (hòu) — after, behind; 来 (lái) — to come

Meaning

Later; afterwards; subsequently. Indicates something that happened after a previously mentioned event.

Used to connect events in a narrative, showing chronological sequence. Always refers to past events — not used for future plans. Commonly placed at the beginning of a clause to transition to the next event in a story.

Examples

1. 我们先去吃饭，后来又去看电影了。 We went to eat first, and later we went to see a movie.
2. 他开始不喜欢这里，后来慢慢习惯了。 He didn't like it here at first, but later he gradually got used to it.
3. 后来她告诉我事情的原因。 Later she told me the reason for what happened.

Usage Guide

Context: storytelling, narration, everyday

Tone: narrative

Do Say

• 后来我们成了好朋友。(Later we became good friends.)
• 他先去了北京，后来又去了上海。(He went to Beijing first, then later went to Shanghai.)

Don't Say

• 不要用后来说将来的事，比如'后来我明天去' (Don't use 后来 for future events — use 然后 or 以后 instead; 后来 only refers to the past)

Origin & History

Compound of 后 (after, behind) and 来 (to come). Together they express the idea of what came after.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal