Difference between revisions of "Comparing "yihou" and "de shihou""

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* 下飞机 <em>以后</em> 给我 打电话。 <span class="trans"></span>
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* 有了孩子 <em>以后</em> 他 更 没 时间 出来 玩了。 <span class="trans"></span>
 
*下班 <em>以后</em> 我们 一起 去 吃饭。<span class="trans">After work, we're going to go eat together.</span>
 
*下班 <em>以后</em> 我们 一起 去 吃饭。<span class="trans">After work, we're going to go eat together.</span>
 
*来 中国 <em>以后</em> 我 才 发现 中国 菜 很 好吃。<span class="expl">It was realized after getting to China.</span> <span class="trans">Only when I got to China did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.</span>
 
*来 中国 <em>以后</em> 我 才 发现 中国 菜 很 好吃。<span class="expl">It was realized after getting to China.</span> <span class="trans">Only when I got to China did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.</span>
*我 打算 毕业 <em>以后</em> 找 一 份 报社 的 工作。<span class="trans">I plan to find a job with a news company after I graduate.</span>
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*毕业 <em>以后</em> 我 打算 去 上海 工作。<span class="trans">I plan to find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.</span>
*打 篮球 <em>以后</em> 需要 洗澡。<span class="trans">After playing basketball, you need to shower.</span>
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*结婚 <em>以后</em> 你 还 会 工作吗?<span class="trans">Are you still working after you get married?</span>
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Revision as of 09:09, 26 June 2015

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 in situations you might expect them to be used in. Take a look at this article if you want to figure it out!

Structure

"以后" and "的时候" 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.

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

  • 下飞机 以后 给我 打电话。
  • 有了孩子 以后 他 更 没 时间 出来 玩了。
  • 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.
  • 毕业 以后 我 打算 去 上海 工作。I plan to find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.
  • 结婚 以后 你 还 会 工作吗?Are you still working after you get married?

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" slightly confusing at times.

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

Sources and Further Reading

Books

Videos

HSK4