Difference between revisions of "Comparing "houlai" and "ranhou""
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One of the most often confused words are 后来 and 然后. They are similar on the surface, but their usage is fairly different. | One of the most often confused words are 后来 and 然后. They are similar on the surface, but their usage is fairly different. | ||
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== 后来 is used to describe previous things == | == 后来 is used to describe previous things == | ||
| − | 后来 is a time noun, and it can only be used on its own. It describes a certain time period in the past to the present, and allows the speaker to described what happened in that period. | + | 后来 is a time noun, and it can only be used on its own. It describes a certain time period in the past to the present, and it allows the speaker to described what happened in that period. |
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=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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== 然后 is used to describe things happens next == | == 然后 is used to describe things happens next == | ||
| − | 然后 is always used in a sequence. It is often used with 先 (meaning "first") | + | 然后 is always used in a sequence. It is often used with 先 (meaning "first"). |
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=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
Revision as of 02:48, 15 March 2013
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Keywords
One of the most often confused words are 后来 and 然后. They are similar on the surface, but their usage is fairly different.
Contents
后来 is used to describe previous things
后来 is a time noun, and it can only be used on its own. It describes a certain time period in the past to the present, and it allows the speaker to described what happened in that period.
Structure
partA, 后来， partB
Examples
- 1977 年 他 考上 了 大学，后来 就 没 见 过 他。
- 后来 我 去 了 另外 一 家 公司 工作。
然后 is used to describe things happens next
然后 is always used in a sequence. It is often used with 先 (meaning "first").
Structure
action1, 然后 + action2
Examples
- 我们 要 去 吃饭，然后 去 超市。
- 他 先 告诉 了 我 一 个 好 消息，然后 又 告诉 了 我 一 个 坏 消息。
Examples of right and wrong sentences
- 我们 想 先 去 美国， 后来 去 加拿大。
- 我们 想 先 去 美国， 然后 去 加拿大。
Example dialog
- A: 我 先 去 你 家，然后 你 和 我 一起 去 见 她？
- B: 对。你们 几 年 没 见 了？
- A:两 年 前 她 出国 了， 后来 就 一直 没 见过 她。
Sources and further reading
Books
- 对外汉语教学语法释疑201例 (p.7) →buy
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (然后 pp. 461) →buy
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (后来 pp. 570) →buy
