⏰ Time Expressions - 前, 后, 以后 (qián, hòu, yǐhòu) - Navigating Past and Future
Master essential time expressions using 前 (before), 后 (after), and 以后 (later/in the future), plus experience marker 过 and future intentions with 会.
Chinese lesson from Wednesday, June 18, 2025
🎯 Essential Time Patterns
Learn fundamental structures for expressing when things happen - from past experiences to future plans, these patterns are crucial for Chinese conversations.
Perfect for beginners and essential concepts
📚 Key Phrase: 是一个赌场 (shì yī gè dǔchǎng)
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Grammar Focus
⏰ Time Expression Fundamentals
Understanding how to express "before," "after," and "later" is essential for Chinese communication. Today's lesson covers the key patterns that help you navigate through time in conversations.
1. Past Time Reference: [Time] + 前
[Time Duration] + 前
[Time Duration] + qián
Used to express "ago" - how long before now something happened
[Time Duration] + qián
Used to express "ago" - how long before now something happened
• 半年前 (bàn nián qián) = half a year ago
• 两个星期前 (liǎng gè xīngqī qián) = two weeks ago
• 两个星期前 (liǎng gè xīngqī qián) = two weeks ago
半年前我去过赌场
bàn nián qián wǒ qù guò dǔchǎng
Half a year ago I went to the casino
2. Experience Marker: 去过
Subject + 去过 + Place
Subject + qù guò + Place
过 (guò) indicates experience - "have been to" or "have gone to"
Subject + qù guò + Place
过 (guò) indicates experience - "have been to" or "have gone to"
• 我去过中国 (wǒ qù guò zhōngguó) = I have been to China
• 他去过那个地方 (tā qù guò nàge dìfang) = He has been to that place
• 他去过那个地方 (tā qù guò nàge dìfang) = He has been to that place
3. Near Future: [Time] + 后
[Time Duration] + 后
[Time Duration] + hòu
Used for "after" or "later" - typically for shorter time spans
[Time Duration] + hòu
Used for "after" or "later" - typically for shorter time spans
• 几分钟后 (jǐ fēn zhōng hòu) = a few minutes later
• 一个小时后 (yī gè xiǎoshí hòu) = one hour later
• 一个小时后 (yī gè xiǎoshí hòu) = one hour later
几分钟后老板回来了
jǐ fēn zhōng hòu lǎobǎn huí lái le
A few minutes later the boss came back
4. Future Plans: [Time] + 以后
[Time Duration] + 以后
[Time Duration] + yǐhòu
Used for future time - "later" or "in the future" (longer spans)
[Time Duration] + yǐhòu
Used for future time - "later" or "in the future" (longer spans)
• 一年以后 (yī nián yǐhòu) = a year later/in a year
• 以后 (yǐhòu) = later/in the future (general)
• 以后 (yǐhòu) = later/in the future (general)
一年以后我会去中国
yī nián yǐhòu wǒ huì qù zhōngguó
A year later I will go to China
5. "Before" with Actions/Events
[Action/Event] + 前
[Action/Event] + qián
Used to express "before" doing something
[Action/Event] + qián
Used to express "before" doing something
• 早饭前 (zǎofàn qián) = before breakfast
• 睡觉前 (shuìjiào qián) = before sleeping
• 睡觉前 (shuìjiào qián) = before sleeping
6. Future Intentions with 会
Subject + 会 + Verb + Object
Subject + huì + Verb + Object
会 (huì) expresses future intentions or plans
Subject + huì + Verb + Object
会 (huì) expresses future intentions or plans
• 我会告诉你 (wǒ huì gàosu nǐ) = I will tell you
• 他会来 (tā huì lái) = He will come
• 他会来 (tā huì lái) = He will come
是一个赌场
shì yī gè dǔchǎng
It's a casino
Es un casino
词汇 Vocabulary Practice
Practice writing the phrases from today's Chinese lesson!
是一个赌场
shì yī gè dǔchǎng
English:
It's a casino
Español:
Es un casino
半年前
bàn nián qián
English:
Half a year ago
Español:
Hace medio año
半年前我去过赌场
bàn nián qián wǒ qù guò dǔchǎng
English:
Half a year ago I went to the casino
Español:
Hace medio año fui al casino
几分钟后老板回来了
jǐ fēn zhōng hòu lǎobǎn huí lái le
English:
A few minutes later the boss came back
Español:
Unos minutos después el jefe regresó
一年以后我会去中国
yī nián yǐhòu wǒ huì qù zhōngguó
English:
A year later I will go to China
Español:
Dentro de un año iré a China
早饭前
zǎofàn qián
English:
Before breakfast
Español:
Antes del desayuno
下播前
xià bō qián
English:
Before going offline/ending broadcast
Español:
Antes de terminar la transmisión
两个星期前，我生病了
liǎng gè xīngqī qián, wǒ shēng bìng le
English:
Two weeks ago, I was sick
Español:
Hace dos semanas, estuve enfermo
我以后会告诉你
wǒ yǐhòu huì gàosu nǐ
English:
I will tell you later
Español:
Te lo diré más tarde
两个星期以后，我会告诉你
liǎng gè xīngqī yǐhòu, wǒ huì gàosu nǐ
English:
Two weeks later, I will tell you
Español:
Dentro de dos semanas, te lo diré
文化 Cultural Insights
⏰ Time expressions in Chinese reveal important cultural values. The frequent use of 以后 (future) reflects the Chinese emphasis on long-term planning and preparation. The experience marker 过 (guò) is crucial because Chinese culture values learning from past experiences. Modern terms like 下播 (ending a livestream) show how the language adapts to digital life. When discussing time, Chinese speakers often provide context about relationships between events, making conversations feel more connected and thoughtful. Understanding these patterns helps you sound more natural and culturally aware in your Chinese conversations.
🎯 Advanced Time Navigation
Master complex time relationships and practice using these patterns in realistic scenarios. This section includes immersive reading practice and cultural insights about how Chinese speakers think about time.
For students ready to dive deeper
📖 Reading Practice
📖 时间的故事 - A Story of Time
Liǎng gè xīngqī qián, wǒ shēng bìng le.
两个星期前，我生病了。
Bàn nián qián wǒ qù guò dǔchǎng, dàn shì xiànzài wǒ bù qù le.
半年前我去过赌场，但是现在我不去了。
Jīntiān zǎofàn qián, wǒ gēn péngyǒu liáotiān le.
今天早饭前，我跟朋友聊天了。
Jǐ fēn zhōng hòu lǎobǎn huí lái le, tā shuō: "Míngtiān kāihuì."
几分钟后老板回来了，他说："明天开会。"
Wǒ yǐhòu huì gàosu nǐ wǒ de jìhuà.
我以后会告诉你我的计划。
Yī nián yǐhòu wǒ huì qù zhōngguó xuéxí.
一年以后我会去中国学习。
Xià bō qián, wǒ xiǎng shuō: "Xièxie dàjiā!"
下播前，我想说："谢谢大家！"
📝 Vocabulary from this reading:
现在
xiànzài
Now, currently
聊天
liáotiān
To chat, talk
开会
kāihuì
To have a meeting
计划
jìhuà
Plan, to plan
学习
xuéxí
To study, learn
大家
dàjiā
Everyone, everybody
📚 Additional Learning Content
🎯 Cultural Context: Time in Chinese Culture
Understanding time expressions goes beyond grammar - it reflects how Chinese culture views past, present, and future relationships.
Cultural Time Perspectives
Past Reference (前)
Chinese often reference past events as learning experiences
Future Planning (以后)
Long-term thinking is valued in Chinese culture
Chinese often reference past events as learning experiences
• 三年前我开始学中文 = Three years ago I started learning Chinese
Future Planning (以后)
Long-term thinking is valued in Chinese culture
• 以后我想在中国工作 = In the future I want to work in China
Modern Usage Patterns
Digital Age Vocabulary
Contemporary Chinese reflects modern life
Contemporary Chinese reflects modern life
• 下播前 = before ending a livestream
• 上班前 = before going to work
• 下班后 = after getting off work
• 上班前 = before going to work
• 下班后 = after getting off work
作业 Homework & Practice
📝 Homework for next class:
1. ⏰ Time Expression Practice: Write 5 sentences using 前 (qián) to describe past events
2. 📅 Future Planning: Create 6 sentences using 以后 (yǐhòu) and 后 (hòu) to express different future timeframes
3. 🎯 Experience Sharing: Practice the 去过 (qù guò) pattern by writing about 4 places you have been to
4. 🔄 Action Completion: Use 了 (le) to describe 5 completed actions from today
5. 📖 Story Creation: Write a short paragraph using at least 3 different time expressions from today's lesson
💡 Real-life Challenge: Practice describing your daily routine using 前 (before) and 后 (after) patterns!
Practice Checklist:
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