How to say “later” in Chinese with 后来 (hòulái)
Event 1,后来 (hòulái) Event 2
Sequencing past events with "后来 (hòulái)"
Event 1,后来 (hòulái) Event 2
HSK 3NounsSequencing past events with "后来 (hòulái)"
Rule structure
后来 (hòulái) means "afterwards" or "later" and is used to narrate what happened next in a past sequence of events.
Rule structure
后来 (hòulái) means "afterwards" or "later" and is used to narrate what happened next in a past sequence of events.
Examples
他开始学中文,后来去了中国。
Tā kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén, hòulái qù le Zhōngguó.
He started learning Chinese, and later went to China.
Examples
他开始学中文,后来去了中国。
Tā kāishǐ xué Zhōngwén, hòulái qù le Zhōngguó.
He started learning Chinese, and later went to China.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Sequencing past events with "后来 (hòulái)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Event 1,后来 (hòulái) Event 2. For example: 他开始学中文,后来去了中国。 — “He started learning Chinese, and later went to China.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他开始学中文,后来去了中国。 — “He started learning Chinese, and later went to China.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.
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More HSK 3 grammar rules
Expressing "just now" with "刚才 (gāngcái)"
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Expressing "when" with "时 (shí)"
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In the future in general with "以后 (yǐhòu)"
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Expressing "before" in general with "以前 (yǐqián)"
以前 (yǐqián),⋯⋯
Simultaneous tasks with "一边 (yìbiān)"
一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 1, 一边 (yìbiān) + Verb 2
Expressing "if… then…" with "如果 (rúguǒ) … 就 (jiù) …"
如果 (rúguǒ)……,就 (jiù)……
Big numbers in Chinese
Number + 万 (wàn) / 亿 (yì)
Turning adjectives into adverbs
Adj. + 地 (de) + Verb
