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。After work, we're going to go eat together.
• 来 中国 以后 我 才 发现 中国 菜 很 好吃。It was realized after getting to China. Only when I got to China did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.
• 我 打算 毕业 以后 找 一 份 报社 的 工作。I plan to find a job with a news company after I graduate.
• 打 篮球 以后 需要 洗澡。After playing basketball, you need to shower.

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。Watching TV while you eat can make you fat easily.
• 公司 规定 工作的时候不能 用 QQ 聊天。Company rules say that you can't chat on QQ when you're at work.
• 无聊 的时候 可以 做 些 什么？What can you do when you're bored?
• 打 篮球 的时候 会 出 很多 汗。You sweat a lot when you play basketball.

"的时候" is also similar to using the 一边 structure. However, "一边" uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候" can use sub-conscious or unexpected actions.

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。When you get off work, call me.
• 下班 以后 我 给 你 打 电话。When you get off work, call me.
• 雨 停 了 的时候，我们 就 去 公园 玩。When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.
• 雨 停 了 以后，我们 就 去 公园 玩。When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.

See also

• After a specific time
• At the time when
• Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"
• Comparing "yihou" and "zhihou"

Sources and Further Reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 293-4) →buy

Videos

• Yoyo Chinese Grammar "When you get home"

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