After or before a specific time
As well as talking about the "before" and "after" in general, you can use 以前 (yǐqián) and 以后 (yǐhòu) to talk about things that happened before or "after" specific times.
Contents
When a Time is Specified
Structure
Time + 以前 / 以后, Subj. + Verb + Obj.
The time can be a specific time or date.It could also be an action or event or an action.
Examples
- 早上 十点 以前 ,公司 没人。 I will be at home before ten o'clock.
- 三 年 以前 , 我 来 到 了 上海 。 Three years ago I came to Shanghai.
- 我 几天 以前 刚刚 见 过 她。 I just saw her a few days ago.
- 下午 三点 以后 , 我 不 在 家 。 After three o'clock in the afternoon, I will not be at home.
- 她 一 个 月 以后 开始 上班 。 She will start working after one month.
- 结婚 以前 , 你 应该 先 买 房子。 Before getting married, you should first buy the house.
- 来 中国 以前 , 你 男朋友 会 说 中文 吗? Before coming to China, can your boyfriend speak Chinese?
- 今年 中秋节 以后 ,我 没 见 过 他。 I haven't seen him since this Mid-autumn Day.
- 吃 完 午饭 以后 , 我们 要 开会。 After finishing lunch, we are going to have a meeting.
- 你 到 家 以后 给 我 打电话。 After you arrive home, you call me.
When an Event is Specified
Verb + 以前 / 以后, Subj. + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 早上 十点 以前 ,公司 没人。 I will be at home before ten o'clock.
- 三 年 以前 , 我 来 到 了 上海 。 Three years ago I came to Shanghai.
- 我 几天 以前 刚刚 见 过 她。 I just saw her a few days ago.
- 下午 三点 以后 , 我 不 在 家 。 After three o'clock in the afternoon, I will not be at home.
- 她 一 个 月 以后 开始 上班 。 She will start working after one month.
- 结婚 以前 , 你 应该 先 买 房子。 Before getting married, you should first buy the house.
- 来 中国 以前 , 你 男朋友 会 说 中文 吗? Before coming to China, can your boyfriend speak Chinese?
- 今年 中秋节 以后 ,我 没 见 过 他。 I haven't seen him since this Mid-autumn Day.
- 吃 完 午饭 以后 , 我们 要 开会。 After finishing lunch, we are going to have a meeting.
- 你 到 家 以后 给 我 打电话。 After you arrive home, you call me.