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

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
  
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!
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When talking about when something happens, 以后 (yǐhòu) and 的时候 (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as the English word "[[when]]," but their usage in Chinese must be kept straight.
  
 
== Structure ==
 
== Structure ==
  
以后 and 的时候 both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb.
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以后 and 的时候 both appear in the same place in the sentence: after the verb.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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The difference comes in what they actually mean.
 
The difference comes in what they actually mean.
  
== 以后 ==
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== Use 以后 for "After" ==
  
[[After a specific time|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."  
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[[After a specific time|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." This might seem obvious, but in the following sentences, we could use "when" in English for every single one.
 
 
=== Examples ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
 
* 下 飞机 <em>以后</em> 给 我 打电话 。 <span class="pinyin">Xià fēijī <em>yǐhòu </em> gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà</span><span class="trans">Give me a call after you get off the plane.</span>
 
* 下 飞机 <em>以后</em> 给 我 打电话 。 <span class="pinyin">Xià fēijī <em>yǐhòu </em> gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà</span><span class="trans">Give me a call after you get off the plane.</span>
*来中国<em>以后</em> 我 才 发现 中国菜 那么 好吃 。 <span class="pinyin">Lái zhōngguó <em>yǐhòu </em> wǒ cái fāxiàn zhōngguó cài nàme hào chī.</span> <span class="trans"> Only when I got to China did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.</span>
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*来 中国 <em>以后</em> 我 才 发现 中国 菜 那么 好吃 。 <span class="pinyin">Lái Zhōngguó <em>yǐhòu </em> wǒ cái fāxiàn Zhōngguó cài nàme hǎochī.</span> <span class="trans"> Only when I got to China did I realize how tasty Chinese food is.</span>
*毕业 <em>以后</em> 我 打算 去 上海 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Bìyè <em>yǐhòu </em> wǒ dǎsuàn qù shànghǎi gōngzuò. </span><span class="trans">I plan to find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.</span>
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*毕业 <em>以后</em> 我 打算 去 上海 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Bìyè <em>yǐhòu </em> wǒ dǎsuàn qù Shànghǎi gōngzuò. </span><span class="trans">I plan to find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.</span>
 
*结婚 <em>以后</em> 你 想 继续 工作 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn <em>yǐhòu </em> nǐ xiǎng jìxù gōngzuò ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to keep working after you get married?
 
*结婚 <em>以后</em> 你 想 继续 工作 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn <em>yǐhòu </em> nǐ xiǎng jìxù gōngzuò ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you want to keep working after you get married?
 
</span>
 
</span>
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</div>
 
</div>
  
== 的时候 ==
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== Use 的时候 for "During" or "While" ==
  
的时候 means "when" in the sense of [[At the time when|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.
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的时候 means "when" in the sense of [[Expressing "when" with "de shihou"|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 ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*吃饭 <em>的时候</em> 看 电视 容易 长 胖 。 <span class="pinyin">Chīfàn <em>de shíhòu </em> kàn diànshì róngyì zhǎng pàng. </span><span class="trans">Watching TV while you eat can make you fat easily.</span>
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*吃饭 <em>的时候</em> 看 电视 容易 长 胖 。 <span class="pinyin">Chīfàn <em>de shíhou </em> kàn diànshì róngyì zhǎng pàng. </span><span class="trans">It's easy to get fat if you eat while you watch TV.</span>
*工作<em>的时候</em> 不要 上网 聊天 。<span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò <em>de shíhòu </em> bùyào shàngwǎng liáotiān. </span><span class="trans">Don't chat online when you're at work.</span>
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*工作 <em>的时候</em> 不要 上网 聊天 。<span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò <em>de shíhou </em> bùyào shàngwǎng liáotiān. </span><span class="trans">Don't chat online when you're at work.</span>
*无聊 <em>的时候</em> 可以 做 些 什么 ?<span class="pinyin">Wúliáo <em>de shíhòu </em> kěyǐ zuò xiē shénme? </span> <span class="trans">What can you do when you're bored?</span>
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*无聊 <em>的时候</em> 可以 做 些 什么 ?<span class="pinyin">Wúliáo <em>de shíhou </em> kěyǐ zuò xiē shénme? </span> <span class="trans">What can you do when you're bored?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
的时候 is also similar to using [[Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"|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.
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的时候 is also similar to using [[Simultaneous tasks with "yibian"|the 一边 structure]]. However, 一边 uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候" can be used for "mindless" activities (like watching TV) or unexpected situations.
 
 
== 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.
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== Overlapping Usage ==
  
=== Examples ===
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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," as there is only one point where you first see a person. In this case, you can use either one.
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
*雨 停 了 <em>的时候</em>,我们 就 去 公园 玩。<span class="pinyin">Yǔ tíngle <em>de shíhòu </em>, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán.</span><span class="trans">When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.</span>
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*雨 停 了 <em>的时候</em>,我们 就 去 公园 玩。<span class="pinyin">Yǔ tíng le <em>de shíhou </em>, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán.</span><span class="trans">When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.</span>
 
*雨 停 了 <em>以后</em>,我们 就 去 公园 玩。<span class="pinyin">Yǔ tíngle <em>yǐhòu </em>, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán. </span><span class="trans">When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.</span>
 
*雨 停 了 <em>以后</em>,我们 就 去 公园 玩。<span class="pinyin">Yǔ tíngle <em>yǐhòu </em>, wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán. </span><span class="trans">When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.</span>
*商店 关门 的 <em>时候</em>,你 再 来 找 我。<span class="pinyin">Shāngdiàn guānmén de <em>shíhòu </em>, nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Come to find me when the shop is closed.</span>
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*商店 关门 的 <em>时候</em>,你 再 来 找 我。<span class="pinyin">Shāngdiàn guānmén de <em>shíhou </em>, nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Come to find me when the shop is closed.</span>
*商店 关门 了 <em>以后</em>,你 再 来 找 我。<span class="trans"> Come to find me when the shop is closed.</span>
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*商店 关门 了 <em>以后</em>,你 再 来 找 我。<span class="pinyin">Shāngdiàn guānmén le  <em>yǐhòu </em>, nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ.</span><span class="trans"> Come to find me when the shop is closed.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>

Latest revision as of 09:26, 9 November 2020

When talking about when something happens, 以后 (yǐhòu) and 的时候 (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as the English word "when," but their usage in Chinese must be kept straight.

Structure

以后 and 的时候 both appear in the same place in the sentence: after the verb.

Subj. + Verb + 以后/的时候,⋯⋯

The difference comes in what they actually mean.

Use 以后 for "After"

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." This might seem obvious, but in the following sentences, we could use "when" in English for every single one.

  • 下 飞机 以后 给 我 打电话 。 Xià fēijī yǐhòu gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuàGive me a call after you get off the plane.
  • 来 中国 以后 我 才 发现 中国 菜 那么 好吃 。 Lái Zhōngguó yǐhòu wǒ cái fāxiàn Zhōngguó cài nàme hǎochī. 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 。Bìyè yǐhòu wǒ dǎsuàn qù Shànghǎi gōngzuò. I plan to find a job in Shanghai after I graduate.
  • 结婚 以后 你 想 继续 工作 吗 ?Jiéhūn yǐhòu nǐ xiǎng jìxù gōngzuò ma?Do you want to keep working after you get married?

Use 的时候 for "During" or "While"

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.

  • 吃饭 的时候 看 电视 容易 长 胖 。 Chīfàn de shíhou kàn diànshì róngyì zhǎng pàng. It's easy to get fat if you eat while you watch TV.
  • 工作 的时候 不要 上网 聊天 。Gōngzuò de shíhou bùyào shàngwǎng liáotiān. Don't chat online when you're at work.
  • 无聊 的时候 可以 做 些 什么 ?Wúliáo de shíhou kěyǐ zuò xiē shénme? What can you do when you're bored?

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 be used for "mindless" activities (like watching TV) or unexpected situations.

Overlapping Usage

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," as there is only one point where you first see a person. In this case, you can use either one.

  • 雨 停 了 的时候,我们 就 去 公园 玩。Yǔ tíng le de shíhou , wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán.When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.
  • 雨 停 了 以后,我们 就 去 公园 玩。Yǔ tíngle yǐhòu , wǒmen jiù qù gōngyuán wán. When it stops raining, we'll go play in the park.
  • 商店 关门 的 时候,你 再 来 找 我。Shāngdiàn guānmén de shíhou , nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ.Come to find me when the shop is closed.
  • 商店 关门 了 以后,你 再 来 找 我。Shāngdiàn guānmén le yǐhòu , nǐ zàilái zhǎo wǒ. Come to find me when the shop is closed.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Videos

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