adverb / noun HSK 3
Traditional 後來
later · afterwards · eventually
Meaning
后来 indicates a time after some previously mentioned event or period. It functions as a time adverb meaning 'later on' or 'afterwards,' often used to advance a narrative or explain what happened subsequently. It typically refers to a fairly significant passage of time, not just moments later.
Usage
Commonly used in storytelling and recounting past events. It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause to mark a temporal shift. Native speakers use it to connect events chronologically, especially when there's been some development or change. More formal than 然后 (which means 'then' for immediate sequence).
Examples
- 01我们以前是同学，后来就失去联系了。, .We used to be classmates, but later we lost contact.
- 02他开始不同意，后来还是答应了。, .He didn't agree at first, but eventually he agreed.
Characters
Common collocations
- 后来发现later discovered
- 后来才知道only found out later
- 直到后来until later
Antonyms
Origin
Literally 'after-come,' combining 后 (after) with 来 (come) to express 'what came after' or 'the time that came later.'