以前 vs 以后: How to Say Before and After in Chinese

Want to say “before dinner”, “after work” or “I used to live in Beijing”? 以前 (yǐ qián) and 以后 (yǐ hòu) help you express all three. Their meanings depend on the reference point: now, a particular time or another event. This beginner guide explains the main patterns so you can describe past habits, arrange meetings and talk about future plans.

1. 以前 vs 以后: In the Past and In the Future

Remembering earlier experiences.

Used alone, 以前 (yǐ qián) usually means “before now” or “in the past”. 以后 (yǐ hòu) usually means “from now on” or “in the future”.

• 我以前住在北京。
  Wǒ yǐ qián zhù zài Běi jīng.
  I used to live in Beijing.
• 我以后想去中国工作。
  Wǒ yǐ hòu xiǎng qù Zhōng guó gōng zuò.
  I would like to work in China in the future.

These time words can go before or after the subject. 以前我不喝咖啡。 (Yǐ qián wǒ bù hē kā fēi.) means “I didn't drink coffee before”.

2. Time + 以前 or 以后: Before Five, After Eight

Put the time first when arranging a meeting.

Use time + 以前 / 以后 (yǐ qián / yǐ hòu):

• 请在五点以前给我打电话。
  Qǐng zài wǔ diǎn yǐ qián gěi wǒ dǎ diàn huà.
  Please call me before five.
• 我晚上八点以后有空。
  Wǒ wǎn shang bā diǎn yǐ hòu yǒu kòng.
  I am free after eight in the evening.

With a duration, the same pattern expresses “ago” or “later”:

• 三天以前，我买了一本书。
  Sān tiān yǐ qián, wǒ mǎi le yì běn shū.
  Three days ago, I bought a book.
• 三天以后，我要去上海。
  Sān tiān yǐ hòu, wǒ yào qù Shàng hǎi.
  In three days, I am going to Shanghai.

When counting from now, 三天以后 (sān tiān yǐ hòu) means “in three days”. In a story, it can mean “three days later”, counting from a time already mentioned. For travel plans, name the day if precision matters.

3. Action + 以前 or 以后: Before Eating, After Work

An event can be your reference point too.

Put the action before 以前 / 以后 (yǐ qián / yǐ hòu):

• 吃饭以前，我会洗手。
  Chī fàn yǐ qián, wǒ huì xǐ shǒu.
  I wash my hands before eating.
• 下班以后，我想去超市。
  Xià bān yǐ hòu, wǒ xiǎng qù chāo shì.
  I want to go to the supermarket after work.
• 昨天吃完饭以后，我们去散步了。
  Zuó tiān chī wán fàn yǐ hòu, wǒ men qù sàn bù le.
  Yesterday, after finishing our meal, we went for a walk.

The last example describes two past events. 以后 (yǐ hòu) means “after the meal” here; it does not automatically make a sentence about the future.

4. A Common Word Order Mistake

English puts “before” and “after” first: “after work”. Chinese puts them after the reference event: 下班以后 (xià bān yǐ hòu).

For “before eating”, use 吃饭以前 (chī fàn yǐ qián). 以前吃饭 (yǐ qián chī fàn) instead begins an idea about eating in the past. Decide whether you mean “before now” or “before this action”.

✨ Did you know? Short expressions such as 饭前 (fàn qián), “before a meal”, and 饭后 (fàn hòu), “after a meal”, follow the same time order. You may hear them when discussing daily routines.

Useful Chinese Words and Phrases

• 以前🔊yǐ qiánbefore; in the past
• 以后🔊yǐ hòuafter; in the future
• 下班以后🔊xià bān yǐ hòuafter work
• 吃饭以前🔊chī fàn yǐ qiánbefore eating

A Short Everyday Conversation

Final Takeaway

以前 (yǐ qián) looks before a reference point; 以后 (yǐ hòu) looks after it. Use them alone for past and future contexts, or put a time or action first to say exactly what comes before or after.