after
after — 介系詞
1. later in time than something, further along than a place, or further down a list
在……之後
在某時間、地點或順序之後
later in time than something, further along than a place, or further down a list than an item already named.
Mei brushes her teeth after every meal at her grandmother's house.
美在外婆家每餐飯後都會刷牙。
after + noun phrase for time
After the long flight to Tokyo, Daniel slept for fourteen hours.
搭完飛往東京的長途班機之後，丹尼爾一口氣睡了十四個小時。
fronted: after + noun, comma
The bakery is two blocks after the traffic light on Maple Street.
那家麵包店在楓樹街紅綠燈過後再走兩個街區的地方。
After finishing her homework, Tomás went outside to play with his dog.
做完功課之後，湯馬士跑到外面去陪他的小狗玩。
B comes after A in the alphabet, and Tuesday comes after Monday.
字母表裡 B 排在 A 的後面，星期二也排在星期一之後。
- following
more formal; common in news and reports
- subsequent to
very formal; legal or academic register
- post-
prefix for time periods, e.g. post-war, post-lunch
- before
the direct opposite for time and order
文法句型
after + noun phrase
after + -ing form
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a noun, a pronoun, or an -ing form, never a base verb. Distinguish from sense 5 (queue/order politeness) and from the conjunction use (after + full clause: 'after she left').
常見錯誤
2. given everything that has been done, said, or suffered — often used when the res
儘管；都……
強調付出之後得到失望或意外的結果
given everything that has been done, said, or suffered — often used when the result is the opposite of what was deserved or expected.
After all the time Yael spent helping him, Tova forgot her birthday completely.
瑪雅花了那麼多時間幫他，卡洛斯卻把她的生日忘得一乾二淨。
after all + noun phrase for unfair outcome
After three years of training, Lin was crushed when the team rejected her.
苦練了三年之後，球隊把琳刷掉，她整個人都崩潰了。
after + duration noun, contrasting outcome
After everything we had been through together, my brother refused to speak to me.
我們一起經歷了那麼多事，我哥居然不肯再跟我說話。
How can you complain about the food after eating two whole plates?
你都吃了滿滿兩盤了，怎麼還好意思嫌東西難吃？
- despite
more direct contrast; lacks the time-investment feel
- in spite of
interchangeable with despite, slightly more emphatic
文法句型
after + noun phrase / -ing form indicating effort or expectation
用法筆記
Almost always introduces a contrast: a strong investment of effort, time, or hope is followed by a disappointing or surprising result. Often pairs with 'all' (after all the work…) or a measured quantity (after three years…). Distinguish from sense 1 (neutral time) by the felt unfairness or surprise.
常見錯誤
3. as a direct result of something that just happened, where the earlier event is t
由於；因為
因前一件事而導致後續行為
as a direct result of something that just happened, where the earlier event is the reason for the later one.
After the accident on the highway, Sara refuses to drive at night.
高速公路那場車禍之後，莎拉就再也不肯晚上開車了。
after + event noun causing later behaviour
The mayor resigned after the corruption scandal hit the local newspapers.
貪汙醜聞被當地報紙踢爆之後，那位市長就辭職下台了。
post-positioned: clause + after + cause
After what the doctor said about her heart, Aunt Rosa quit smoking immediately.
聽到醫生對她心臟講的那番話之後，蘿莎阿姨立刻把菸戒了。
Many shops closed early after the heavy snowstorm last Friday.
上週五那場大雪之後，許多店家都提早打烊。
- because of
more explicit about cause; no time element
- in light of
formal; emphasises new information shaping a decision
- following
neutral and common in news writing
文法句型
after + noun phrase referring to a triggering event
用法筆記
Carries a cause-and-effect feel that goes beyond simple time order. The construction 'after what (someone said / happened)' is a common signal of this sense. If you can replace it with 'because of', you are in this sense, not sense 1.
常見錯誤
4. chasing, hunting, or trying to get hold of someone or something — used when the
追趕；追求
追逐、捕捉或想得到某人或某物
chasing, hunting, or trying to get hold of someone or something — used when the subject has them as a clear target.
Two police officers ran after the thief through the crowded train station.
兩名警員在擁擠的火車站裡追著那名小偷跑。
verb of motion + after + person being chased
The detectives have been after that gang for almost ten years.
刑警們已經盯上那個幫派將近十年了。
be after + noun for ongoing pursuit
My little sister is always after my chocolate biscuits when I'm not looking.
我一個沒注意，妹妹就老是在打我那盒巧克力餅乾的主意。
Reporters were after a quote from the singer outside the courthouse.
記者們守在法院外面，想跟那位歌手要一句評論。
The cat shot under the sofa, with the puppy yapping after it.
貓咪一溜煙鑽進沙發底下，小狗就汪汪叫著緊追過去。
- in pursuit of
more formal; common in news and police reports
- chasing
physical pursuit only, not abstract goals
- hunting for
stronger search verb, often for hidden things
文法句型
be after + noun (person or thing being chased or wanted)
用法筆記
Most common after verbs of motion (run, chase, go) or with the structure 'be after [someone/something]'. The object is whatever the subject is trying to catch, find, or obtain — often a criminal, a prize, or information.
常見錯誤
5. directly behind another person in a queue, schedule, or order of importance — of
排在……之後
在隊伍或順位中緊接於其後
directly behind another person in a queue, schedule, or order of importance — often used as a polite gesture inviting that person to go first.
"After you," Mr. Leila said, holding the door open for the elderly woman.
「您先請。」田中先生扶著門，讓那位老太太先進去。
polite formula: 'After you' invites the other person
The vice president speaks first, and the prime minister speaks after her.
副總統先發言，總理排在她之後上台。
after + pronoun for order of importance
I'm after the woman in the red coat, so please serve her first.
我排在那位穿紅外套的小姐後面，請先幫她服務。
In the royal family, Prince William comes after his father in the line of succession.
在英國王室裡，威廉王子的繼位順序排在他父親之後。
- before
ahead of in a queue or ranking
文法句型
after + you / pronoun in queue contexts
用法筆記
The fixed phrase 'After you' is a courtesy formula at doors, lifts, and queues — close to a small ritual in British and American English. Beyond that, this sense covers any ranked list (succession, seniority, billing order).
常見錯誤
6. made or done so that it copies the style of a famous artist, work, or tradition,
仿照；模仿
依照名家或他人的風格製作
made or done so that it copies the style of a famous artist, work, or tradition, while not being the original itself.
The young painter produced a calm river scene after Monet for her graduation show.
那位年輕畫家為她的畢業展畫了一幅模仿莫內風格的寧靜河景。
noun + after + artist name
Tova baked a layered chocolate cake after his Italian grandmother's recipe.
卡洛斯依著他義大利祖母的食譜，烤了一個層層疊疊的巧克力蛋糕。
after + person whose method is copied
The museum displayed several bronze figures after Rodin in its main hall.
美術館在主廳裡展出了好幾尊仿羅丹風格的青銅人像。
Sofia's debut novel is clearly written after the great Russian masters of the nineteenth century.
蘇菲亞的第一本小說明顯是仿照十九世紀俄國文學大師的風格寫成的。
- in the style of
less formal label; same meaning
- modelled on
wider use, beyond visual art
- à la
borrowed from French; mainly used for cooking and fashion
文法句型
noun (artwork, design, dish) + after + artist or model name
用法筆記
Most common in art, music, food, and writing. The label '(after [Artist])' signals that the piece is an honest imitation or homage, not a forgery. Distinguish from sense 7 (named after) — this is about copying style, not borrowing a name.
常見錯誤
7. given a name in honour of, or borrowed from, another person, place, or thing.
以……命名
用某人或某物之名為新事物取名
given a name in honour of, or borrowed from, another person, place, or thing.
The baby boy was named Noa after his grandfather, who fought in the war.
這個男嬰被取名為馬庫斯，是為了紀念他打過仗的祖父。
passive: be named after + person
Lin called her bookshop "Hazel" after her childhood cat.
琳把她的書店取名為「榛子」，靈感來自她小時候養的那隻貓。
active: call + object + after + source of name
The new science lab is named after Marie Curie, the famous physicist.
那間新的科學實驗室是以著名物理學家瑪麗・居禮的名字命名的。
Many streets in Buenos Aires are named after important dates in the country's history.
布宜諾斯艾利斯有許多街道是以該國歷史上重要的日期命名的。
- named for
American English alternative; same meaning
- in honour of
more ceremonial; used when explaining the choice
文法句型
be named / called after + person or place
用法筆記
Almost always appears with the verbs 'name' or 'call', often in the passive ('was named after…'). Distinguish from sense 6: sense 6 copies the style; sense 7 borrows the name only.
常見錯誤
after — 副詞
1. at any point in time that follows the moment or event already being talked about
之後；隨後
在所談時間或事件之後
at any point in time that follows the moment or event already being talked about.
We had lunch at noon, and Daniel arrived an hour after.
我們中午吃了午餐，丹尼爾隨後一個小時才到。
duration noun + after
The earthquake shook the village, and the rain came soon after.
地震搖晃了整個村莊，雨水也很快接著落下。
soon after for close time link
Mei graduated in June; shortly after, she moved to Taipei for her first job.
美在六月畢業，沒過多久就搬到台北展開她第一份工作。
Noa and Tomás got married last spring and lived happily ever after.
馬庫斯和琳娜去年春天結婚，從此過著幸福快樂的日子。
- afterwards
fully interchangeable, slightly more common in British English
- later
more general; can be combined with after for emphasis
- subsequently
formal; written register
- before
the direct opposite as an adverb of time
- beforehand
ahead of the moment in question
文法句型
time noun + after
soon / shortly / long + after
用法筆記
Stands alone without a noun object — that is what makes it an adverb rather than a preposition. Most often modified by 'soon', 'shortly', 'long', or a duration ('an hour after'). The phrase 'ever after' is a fixed storybook ending.
常見錯誤
after — 連接詞
1. joining two clauses to show that the second action takes place once the first on
等……之後
連接兩個子句，前事完成才接後事
joining two clauses to show that the second action takes place once the first one has finished.
After Tomás locked the front door, he remembered her keys were still inside.
湯馬士把大門鎖上之後，才想起鑰匙還留在裡面。
after + past clause + main clause
Tova always feels sleepy after he eats a heavy meal at lunchtime.
卡洛斯每次中午吃完一頓大餐，就總是覺得昏昏欲睡。
main clause + after + present clause for habits
I will phone you after the meeting finishes tomorrow afternoon.
明天下午會議結束之後，我會打電話給你。
After the doctor had examined the baby, she smiled and said everything looked fine.
醫生檢查完寶寶之後，露出微笑，說一切都很正常。
- once
emphasises that the first action must finish first
- as soon as
stresses no delay between the two events
- when
weaker time link; can also mean at the same moment
- before
reverses the time order of the two clauses
文法句型
after + subject + verb (full clause)
用法筆記
Takes a full clause with a subject and a verb — different from the preposition, which takes a noun or -ing form. In an after-clause about the future, use the simple present (not 'will'): 'after the meeting finishes', not 'after the meeting will finish'. Use the past perfect to make the order of two past events very clear.
常見錯誤
after — 字首
1. joined to the front of a noun to make a new word that names something happening,
後（前綴）
加在名詞前，表「之後發生」
joined to the front of a noun to make a new word that names something happening, felt, or done just after the main event.
Yael enjoys the bitter aftertaste of dark chocolate more than the first sweet bite.
比起入口的香甜，瑪雅更喜歡黑巧克力那股微苦的回味。
aftertaste: feeling left after eating
The aftermath of the storm covered the village in mud and broken branches.
暴風雨過後的災情讓整個村子覆蓋在泥巴和斷枝之中。
aftermath: situation after a major event
Halfway through the meeting, Daniel had an afterthought and raised his hand again.
會議開到一半，丹尼爾突然又想到一件事，再次舉起手來。
Lin's parents take a short walk every afternoon, just after lunch.
琳的父母每天午後、剛吃完午餐就會出去散個短步。
- post-
Latin prefix with similar meaning; more formal (post-war, post-lunch)
文法句型
after- + noun (closed compound, no hyphen for established words)
用法筆記
Forms closed compounds (no hyphen) with a small set of established nouns: afternoon, aftermath, aftertaste, afterthought, aftershock, aftercare, afterlife. New coinings with 'after-' usually take a hyphen ('after-show', 'after-party'). Not a productive prefix in everyday writing — stick to the established words.