之后

• Pinyin: zhī hòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 之 = a classical particle indicating relation or sequence; 后 = 厂 (cliff) + 口 (mouth) + 一, behind/after

Meaning

After; afterwards; later. Indicates that something happens subsequent to a stated event or time.

A formal or written equivalent of 以后 and 后来. 之后 is placed directly after a noun phrase or clause: 会议之后 (after the meeting), 吃饭之后 (after eating). It is widely used in both written and spoken Chinese across all registers.

Examples

1. 下班之后，他习惯去附近的公园散散步。 After finishing work, he is in the habit of taking a stroll in the nearby park.
2. 三年的努力之后，她终于通过了资格考试。 After three years of effort, she finally passed the qualification exam.
3. 这件事发生之后，大家的态度都有了明显的改变。 After this incident, everyone's attitude changed noticeably.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, writing, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 毕业之后，他打算去国外继续深造。(After graduating, he plans to go abroad for further studies.)
• 手术之后需要好好休息，不能过于劳累。(After the operation, you need to rest well and not overexert yourself.)

Don't Say

• 在'之后'前面加'在' (Don't say 在...之后 as a set phrase — while 在...之后 is grammatically acceptable in some cases, the cleaner and more natural form is simply noun/clause + 之后)

Origin & History

A classical Chinese construction combining 之 (a structural particle indicating sequence or possession) and 后 (behind/after, a pictograph), used since ancient texts to mark temporal succession.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal