How to use 以后；之后
Event / time + 以后 / 之后; 以后 + future statement; 之后 + later development
以后 and 之后 can both follow a time or event to locate something after it. The preceding phrase supplies the reference point, whether it is getting married, finishing an activity, or reaching a particular stage. In many such sentences, either works, although 之后 can sound somewhat more written. The choice is not a simple distinction between future and past.
When standing alone, 以后 commonly looks forward from now and means in the future or from now on. 之后 usually points to a later stage relative to an already established event. Make that reference point clear before choosing. Neither word by itself necessarily says that the next event happens immediately after the first.
Examples with pinyin and English
下过雨以后空气会好很多。
After it rains, the air will be a lot better.
结婚之后他们有了两个宝宝。
After getting married, they had two babies.
等我涨工资以后请你吃饭。
After I get a raise, I will treat take you out to eat.
听到这个消息之后，我高兴得一晚上没睡。
After I heard this news, I was so happy I couldn't sleep the whole night.
What to remember
- Use either word after many event or time phrases.
- Use standalone 以后 for a future-oriented statement.
- Give standalone 之后 a clear earlier reference point.
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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