后来 (hòulái) — later, afterwards

后来 (hòulái)

后来 means "later" or "afterwards" within a narrative sequence. It refers to what happened next in a story already being told. Key contrast: 以后 (yǐhòu) follows a specific time reference ("after 5 o'clock / after graduation"), while 后来 stands alone and advances the storyline.

Meanings

1. [adverb] Later, afterwards (continuing a narrative).

Example Sentences

我们先吃饭，后来去看电影。 Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, hòulái qù kàn diànyǐng. We ate first, and later went to see a movie.

他刚开始不喜欢，后来慢慢喜欢了。 Tā gāng kāishǐ bù xǐhuān, hòulái màn màn xǐhuān le. At first he didn't like it; later he gradually came to like it.

后来发生了什么？ Hòulái fāshēng le shénme? What happened later?

他们分开了，后来再也没有见面。 Tāmen fēnkāi le, hòulái zài yě méiyǒu jiànmiàn. They separated, and afterwards never met again.

Collocations

Memory Hook

后 (behind/after) + 来 (come): what comes from behind in the story, stepping forward next.