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\tThese two words–before and after–are often used in daily life. But their usages in Chinese are different from English. Let's look at the words here: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \tBefore: y\u01d0 qián, \u4ee5\u524d<\/span><\/p>\n \tAfter: y\u01d0 hòu, \u4ee5\u540e<\/span><\/p>\n \tThe first difference here is the position of these two words. In English, it's "before\/after doing something". But in Chinese, it's "doing something before\/after". They're the same meaning but the position is reversd . For example:<\/span><\/p>\n \t(1) Before<\/strong> <\/span><\/span>going home = huí ji\u0101 y\u01d0 qián<\/strong> (huí ji\u0101=go home; y\u01d0 qián=before)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \t(2) After<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/span>going home = huí ji\u0101 y\u01d0 hòu<\/strong> (y\u01d0 hòu=after)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \tChinese learners in Britain and America need to get used to the reverse of the position, especially while listening. <\/span><\/p>\n \tHere is the other difference. In English, the phrase with before and after could be at the beginning or in the end of a sentence. But in Chinese, the phrase only<\/em> should be at the beginning of a sentence. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n \t(1) I will go to supermarket before I go home<\/strong> =Before going home,<\/strong> I will go to supermarket.<\/span><\/p>\n \t Huí ji\u0101 y\u01d0 qián<\/strong>, w\u01d2 qù ch\u0101o shì \u3002 (\u56de\u5bb6\u4ee5\u524d\uff0c\u6211\u53bb\u8d85\u5e02\u3002)<\/span><\/p>\n \t (huí ji\u0101g=o home; y\u01d0 qián=before; w\u01d2=I; qù=to go; ch\u0101o shì=supermarket) <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \t(2) I will go home after I go shopping<\/strong> =After going shopping<\/strong> , I will go home.<\/span><\/p>\n \t M\u01cei d\u014dngx\u012b y\u01d0 hòu<\/strong>, w\u01d2 huí ji\u0101 \u3002(\u4e70\u4e1c\u897f\u4ee5\u540e\uff0c\u6211\u56de\u5bb6\u3002)<\/span><\/p>\n \t (m\u01cei d\u014dn\u0261 xi=shopping; y\u01d0 hòu=after; w\u01d2=I; huí ji\u0101=go home) <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \tSo here are the sentece strctures:<\/font><\/span><\/p>\n \t(1) Action A + y\u01d0 qián<\/strong>, Subject + action B.<\/span><\/p>\n \t It means: Before doing action A, I do action B.<\/span><\/p>\n \t(2) Action A + y\u01d0 hòu<\/strong>, Subject + action B.<\/span><\/p>\n \t It means: After doing action A, I do action B. <\/span><\/p>\n \tSome final words:<\/strong> learning language is not to only memorize the rules but to communicate with local people. "OK, I understand" is not enough. Lots of practice is necessary. Remember, practice makes perfect. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a message. I will reply as soon as possible. <\/span><\/p>\n