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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'afterwards' or 'thereafter' with 此后 (cǐhòu)

    Sequence & Order
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    此后 + Clause

    Explanation

    此后 (cǐhòu) is a formal adverb meaning "after this," "thereafter," or "from then on." It is used to indicate that something happens following a previously mentioned event or time point. It is more literary than 后来 and is commonly found in written Chinese, news reports, and formal narratives.

    Examples

    • 他大学毕业,此后一直在北京工作。

      Tā dàxué bìyè, cǐhòu yìzhí zài Běijīng gōngzuò.

      He graduated from college and has been working in Beijing ever since.

    • 两国签了协议,此后关系明显改善。

      Liǎng guó qiān le xiéyì, cǐhòu guānxì míngxiǎn gǎishàn.

      The two countries signed an agreement, and relations improved significantly after that.