after
Meaning: Following in time or place; in pursuit of
'After' indicates time ('after lunch'), sequence ('one after another'), or pursuit ('run after'). It functions as a preposition, conjunction ('after you leave'), and adverb ('soon after'). British English uses 'after' with times ('ten after three'). Common phrases include 'after all', 'look after', 'name after', and 'day after day'.
Examples
- Shall we meet after work? 下班后我们见面好吗?¿Quedamos después del trabajo?仕事の後に会いましょうか?퇴근 후에 만날까요?
- The police ran after the thief. 警察追赶小偷。La policía corrió tras el ladrón.警察は泥棒を追いかけた。경찰이 도둑을 뒤쫓았다.
- She was named after her grandmother. 她是以祖母的名字命名的。Le pusieron el nombre de su abuela.彼女は祖母にちなんで名付けられた。그녀는 할머니의 이름을 따서 지어졌다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Old English 'æfter', meaning 'behind' or 'following', from Proto-Germanic *after. Originally a spatial term meaning 'further back'; its temporal sense of 'later than' became dominant in Middle English.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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