Sequencing past events with "houlai"

Level	B1
Is similar to	Before and after with "zhiqian" and "zhihou" (B1) Comparing "yihou" and "houlai" (B1) In the future in general (A2) Saying "ever since" with "yilai" (B1)
Is used for	Sequencing events in time
Keywords	后来, 来

"..., 后来..." (..., hòulái...) is used to sequence past events in the same way that "Afterward..." is in English. Something very important to note is that 后来 can only be used with two events that have already occurred.

Structure

Past Event #1 + 后来 + Past Event #2

Examples

Here are some examples of this pattern in action:

• 开始 他 不 同意, 但 后来 他 同意 了。
• 上 个 星期 我 的 朋友 生病 了，不过 后来 他 病 好 了。
• 她 昨天 吃 了 海鲜，后来 她 食物 中毒 了。

See also

• Before and After with "zhiqian" and "zhihou"
• Saying "Ever Since" with "yilai"
• In the future in general

Sources and further reading

Books

• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 267) →buy