Correct
然后 vs 以后
/ ránhòu vs yǐhòu /
Strokes
Definition
然后 is an Adverb of Conjunction and 以后 is a Noun of Time, which both means [then; after; afterward].
Example
然后 is an adverb of conjunction and can be used in a complex sentence.
1) Example ① is applied to the future and example ② to the past.
2) 以后 is a noun of time and can form a phrase with a verb or phrase,e.g. 吃饭以后 (after dinner), 毕业以后 (after graduation), 从那以后 (since then), etc. 然后 cannot be so used.
3) In example ② there is a pause between 去买东西 and 然后. If 以后 is used, it follows 买东西 without a pause.
2) 以后 is a noun of time and can form a phrase with a verb or phrase,e.g. 吃饭以后 (after dinner), 毕业以后 (after graduation), 从那以后 (since then), etc. 然后 cannot be so used.
3) In example ② there is a pause between 去买东西 and 然后. If 以后 is used, it follows 买东西 without a pause.
1
Zánmen
咱们
xiān
先
xuéxí
学习
yī
一
xiǎoshí
小时
,
ránhòu
然后
zài
再
tǎolùn
讨论
。
Let's first learn it for an hour, and then discuss it.
2
Tā
他
zuótiān
昨天
shàngwǔ
上午
xiān
先
qù
去
mǎi
买
dōngxī
东西
,
ránhòu
然后
cái
才
lái
来
wǒjiā
我家
chīfàn
吃饭
de
的
。
After he finished his shopping on yesterday's morning, he came to my place for dinner.
以后 can be followed by a clause.
3
Bìyè
毕业
yǐhòu
以后
,
tā
他
dào
到
yī
一
jiā
家
gōngsī
公司
gōngzuò
工作
。
He works in a company after graduating.
以后 can function as an Attributive, Adverbial, Subject, and Object.
然后 cannot be used in these cases, 以后 in example ⑤ can also be seen as an adverbial but cannot be replaced by 然后. There is usually a clause in front of 然后 (as in example ① and ②).
4
Yǐhòu
以后
de
的
rìzi
日子
huì
会
yuèláiyuè
越来越
hǎo
好
de
的
。
The future life will be better and better. (as attributive)
5
Yǐhòu
以后
tā
他
zài
再
yě
也
méi
没
lái
来
guò
过
。
Afterwards, he has never been here. (as subject)
6
Huánbǎo
环保
xiàngmù
项目
,
bùdàn
不但
yào
要
wéi
为
dāngqián
当前
fúwù
服务
,
háiyào
还要
duō
多
wéi
为
yǐhòu
以后
kǎolǜ
考虑
。
The environment project should not be only for the present, but also for the future. (as object)