Meaning of 此后
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- after this
- afterwards
- hereafter
How to use 此后
此后 is a fairly formal word used in writing, news, and storytelling to mean "from that point on." It usually starts a clause after an event has been described. Example: 他去年搬走了，此后我们再没见过面。(Tā qùnián bān zǒu le, cǐhòu wǒmen zài méi jiàn guo miàn.) He moved away last year, and after that we never saw each other again.
此 (cǐ) means "this" and 后 (hòu) means "after," so 此后 is literally "after this." Picture pointing at one moment and saying everything from here on.
Common mistake: Learners often use 此后 in casual speech where 以后 (yǐhòu) or 后来 (hòulái) sounds more natural. Also, 此后 cannot follow a noun like 以后 can, so say 毕业以后 (bìyè yǐhòu), not 毕业此后.
此后 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
此 cǐ · this · 6 strokes
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后 hòu · back · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 此后.
| 最后 | zuìhòu | final; last; ultimate; finally; in the end |
| 后天 | hòutiān | the day after tomorrow; life after birth (the period in which one develops through experie |
| 后边 | hòubian | the back; the rear; the last bit; behind; near the end; at the back |
| 然后 | ránhòu | then; after that; afterwards |
| 以后 | yǐhòu | after; later |
| 后来 | hòulái | afterwards; later; newly arrived |
| 今后 | jīnhòu | hereafter; henceforth |
| 因此 | yīncǐ | thus; consequently; as a result |
| 后面 | hòumiàn | the back; the rear; the last bit; behind; near the end; at the back |
| 背后 | bèihòu | behind; at the back |
| 后果 | hòuguǒ | consequences; aftermath |
| 落后 | luòhòu | to fall behind; to lag (in technology etc) |
Questions about 此后
What does 此后 mean?
此后 (cǐhòu) means "after this; afterwards" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 此后?
此后 is made of 2 characters: 此 (6 strokes), 后 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 此后 an HSK word?
Yes. 此后 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 此后 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 此后 is written 此後.
What is the difference between 此后 and 然后?
然后 (ránhòu) links steps in a sequence, like "and then," and is common in speech. 此后 marks a turning point and describes the whole period after it, often in a more formal tone.
Can 此后 talk about the future?
Yes. It can mean "from now on" in formal writing, as in 此后请准时到达 (cǐhòu qǐng zhǔnshí dàodá), please arrive on time from now on. In everyday speech, 以后 (yǐhòu) or 从今以后 (cóng jīn yǐhòu) is more common for this.