noun HSK 5
Traditional 後果
consequence · aftermath · result · outcome
Meaning
后果 refers to the consequences or results that follow from an action or event, typically with a negative or serious connotation. It emphasizes what comes after (后) as a result or 'fruit' (果) of prior actions or decisions.
Usage
While 后果 can technically refer to any outcome, it's most commonly used in contexts involving negative consequences, warnings, or serious repercussions. Native speakers often use phrases like '严重的后果' (serious consequences) or '承担后果' (bear the consequences). It's more formal than everyday speech and appears frequently in written Chinese, news reports, and official contexts.
Examples
- 01你必须考虑清楚这样做的后果。.You must think carefully about the consequences of doing this.
- 02他没有意识到自己行为的严重后果。.He didn't realize the serious consequences of his actions.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个严重的后果
Common collocations
- 严重后果serious consequences
- 承担后果to bear the consequences
- 不堪设想的后果unimaginable consequences
- 后果自负bear the consequences oneself
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 后 (after) with 果 (fruit/result), creating the metaphor of 'fruit that comes after' - the natural results that grow from one's actions.