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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "after" with 之后 (zhīhòu) as a pronoun

    HSK 3
    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    Clause 1, 之后 + Clause 2

    Explanation

    之后 can stand alone or follow a clause to mean "after that" or "afterwards," referring back to a previously mentioned event. In this usage it functions like a pronoun pointing to the preceding context. It helps connect two sequential events in narration.

    Examples

    • 我先去了超市，之后又去了银行。

      wǒ xiān qù le chāoshì, zhīhòu yòu qù le yínháng.

      I went to the supermarket first, and then went to the bank.

    • 他解释了原因，之后大家就理解了。

      tā jiěshì le yuányīn, zhīhòu dàjiā jiù lǐjiě le.

      He explained the reason, and after that everyone understood.

    • 她辞职了，之后就搬去了另一个城市。

      tā cízhí le, zhīhòu jiù bān qù le lìng yī ge chéngshì.

      She quit her job, and after that moved to another city.

    Often Confused With

    Expressing "after" with 之后 (zhīhòu) as a pronoun | Chinese Grammar