后面
后behind面side=behind or at the back
后
后 (hòu) Chinese Character: back, after
The footsteps that follow come after — 后.
Practice 后 in the interactive lessonChinese character story: Steps That Follow Behind
For “behind” or “after,” 后 (hòu) is the simplified form of 後. The older character suggested footsteps following along a road. The idea works for both space and time: someone can stand behind you, and one event can happen after another.
🧩 Word buildingSee what every part contributes
Chinese words often combine short meaning clues. Fixed expressions are clearly marked so you do not translate them too literally.
以后
以from后after=after or later
以后 works as one common time word.
Chinese character origin and etymology
后 is documented as a basic character form. Its earlier written forms gradually became the regular-script shape used today.
In modern simplified Chinese, 后 is written with 6 strokes. This lesson separates documented shape history from the memory story so learners do not mistake a mnemonic for a historical claim. 后 works as one complete form rather than a puzzle made from smaller modern components. Learning its overall silhouette is useful because the same shape may later appear inside more complex characters.
Chinese character stroke order and structure
后 is written with 6 strokes. Learn the complete stroke sequence in the interactive lesson, then write the character from memory before checking your answer.
- 后 — simplified form used for 後, “behind / after”
Common usage and sentence patterns
The examples below show 后 in complete beginner-friendly sentences. Read each sentence aloud, notice where the character appears, and then replace one noun or number to create a new sentence of your own.
房子后面有一棵树。
There is a tree behind the house.
请稍后再试。
Please try again later.
下课后我们去吃饭。
We will eat after class.
Learning tips for 后
Learn the reading as one unit: hòu, with the fourth tone: a sharp fall. Avoid memorizing the letters without the tone mark. Say the syllable, recall the English meaning “back, after,” and write the 6 strokes from memory.
Because 后 is a basic form, focus on its proportions and stroke direction. Compare it with 前 (qián, front, before — the opposite of 后); 候 (hòu, wait; season — a different character with the same sound); 厚 (hòu, thick — similar sound, different meaning). Similar characters are easier to remember when their different parts and meanings are studied side by side.
Quick review checklist
- Can you recognize 后 without pinyin?
- Can you say hòu with the correct tone and explain “back, after”?
- Can you write all 6 strokes in order?
- Can you use 后 in one short sentence?
Related characters
Learn 后 in a themed collection
Compare this character with related beginner words. A themed path helps you notice useful pairs, word-building patterns, and everyday contexts.
Continue learning Chinese characters
Use the Chinese radicals and components guide to understand reusable parts, the stroke order guide to improve handwriting, and the HSK 1 character overview to choose your next beginner lesson.
Sources and editorial note
HanziStory separates documented character history from modern memory stories. Historical-form images are shown only when a matching source file is available; missing stages are skipped rather than invented. Stroke practice uses HanziWriter data.
Last updated: August 12, 2026. Read our sources, editorial method, and correction policy.