Comparing "yihou" and "de shihou"

When talking about when something happens, "以后" (yǐhòu) and "的时候" (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as "when", but their meanings are different, so they can't be used used in situations you might expect them to be used in. Take a look at this article if you want to figure it out!

Structure

The complicated thing about "以后" and "的时候" is that they both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb.

Subject + Verb + 以后/的时候, Comment

The difference comes in what they actually mean with what you're saying.

以后

"以后" technically means after, so it is used after the action is completed. This can be seen as a way of saying "When you are done (verb)ing".

Examples

• 下班 以后 我们 一起 去 吃饭。
• 来 中国 以后 我 才 发现 中国 菜 很 好吃。
• 我 打算 毕业 以后 找 一 份 报社 的 工作。
• 打 篮球 以后 需要 洗澡。

的时候

"的时候" means "when" in the sense of during an action. For example, "when you play ball" can be seen as "when you are playing ball." It is this sort of difference that can make "以后" and "的时候" so complicated.

Examples

• 吃饭 的时候 看 电视 容易 长胖。
• 公司 规定 工作的时候不能 用 QQ 聊天。
• 无聊 的时候 可以 做 些 什么？
• 打 篮球 的时候 会 出 很多 汗。

Similar Usage

Now we get to a really confusing part! There are instances where both "以后" and "的时候" could work and still mean the same thing. These are times when there isn't really a duration, it just happens in an instant. For example, "When you see her". This means "As soon as you see her" so there is only one point where you first see a person. In this case, you can use either one.

Examples

• 下班 的时候 我 给 你 打 电话。
• 下班 以后 我 给 你 打 电话。
• 雨 停 了 的时候，我们 就 去 公园 玩。
• 雨 停 了 以后，我们 就 去 公园 玩。

Sources and Further Reading

Videos

• Yoyo Chinese Grammar

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