When we want to indicate that one event happens after another, we use "después de." This phrase is incredibly versatile and you'll hear it constantly in everyday Spanish. Think of it as a straightforward way to sequence actions or events.
It's often followed by an infinitive verb when the subject of both actions is the same, or by a noun.
For example, you might say "Después de comer, vamos al cine" (After eating, we go to the cinema). Or, if referring to a noun, "Después de la reunión, tengo que trabajar" (After the meeting, I have to work).
Mastering "después de" is a key step in building more complex and natural-sounding sentences in Spanish.
When using "después de," you're indicating that one action or event occurs after another. It's often followed by an infinitive verb or a noun to specify what comes next. Think of it as a clear marker for sequencing events.
For example, if you say "Después de comer, lavo los platos," it means "After eating, I wash the dishes." This phrase is incredibly useful for narrating events in chronological order, making your Spanish sound much more natural and precise. It helps to structure your sentences and provides clarity on the timeline of actions.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
Alright, let's get straight to it. Today we're looking at "después de." This isn't some fancy phrase; it's a super practical one you'll hear and use all the time in Spanish. Think of it as a workhorse in your vocabulary.
- DEFINITION
- following in time or order
That's the basic definition. In plain English, it means "after." It's used to show that one thing happens subsequent to another. It's about sequence, whether that sequence is about time or the order of things.
Let's break down how you'll typically see and use "después de."
- Time Sequencing: This is the most common use. You're talking about something happening after a specific event, time, or action.
Vamos al cine después de cenar. (We're going to the movies after dinner.)
Llamé a mi madre después de la reunión. (I called my mom after the meeting.)
Notice that "de" is essential here. It links "después" to whatever event or noun follows. If you just say "después," it usually means "afterward" or "later" without specifying what it's after.
Cenamos y después fuimos al cine. (We had dinner and afterward we went to the movies.)
See the difference? "Después de" needs a direct object (like "cenar" - to dine, or "la reunión" - the meeting) to tell you *what* it's after. "Después" alone is more general.
- Order of Operations/Steps: You can also use "después de" to indicate a sequence of actions or instructions.
Primero, mezcla los ingredientes, después de eso, hornea por 30 minutos. (First, mix the ingredients, after that, bake for 30 minutes.)
In this case, "después de eso" (after that) is a common way to transition between steps. You're showing a clear order.
- Following a Noun: Sometimes "después de" will directly precede a noun to show what something follows.
El parque está después de la escuela. (The park is after the school - meaning, past the school in terms of location or order on a route.)
While this can sometimes refer to physical location, it still implies a sequence or order: you pass the school, and then you're at the park.
Mastering "después de" is about understanding its role as a sequencer. It helps you build more complex sentences and clearly communicate when things happen in relation to each other. Don't overthink it; just remember it means "after" and always needs that "de" when it's telling you *what* it's after.
§ What 'después de' means
- Definition
- Following in time or order; after.
The Spanish phrase 'después de' is super common. It means 'after' or 'following' in English. You use it when you want to talk about something happening later than something else, or in sequence. It's a key phrase for describing events in order.
§ How to use 'después de' with nouns
When you use 'después de' with a noun, it's pretty straightforward. You just put the noun directly after 'de'. Think of it like saying 'after the party' or 'after work'.
Después de la escuela, vamos al parque.
Translation hint: After school, we go to the park.
Cenamos después de las siete.
Translation hint: We have dinner after seven.
§ Using 'después de' with verbs
This is where it gets a little different from English. In Spanish, when you want to say 'after doing something', you use 'después de' followed by the infinitive form of the verb (the '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form). You do NOT conjugate the verb.
Después de comer, lavamos los platos.
Translation hint: After eating, we wash the dishes.
Ella se siente mejor después de dormir.
Translation hint: She feels better after sleeping.
§ 'Después de que' vs. 'después de'
This is a common point of confusion. Sometimes you'll see 'después de que'. The 'que' is important because it introduces a clause with a conjugated verb. This happens when the subject of the action after 'after' is different from the subject of the main sentence, or when you need a conjugated verb for other grammatical reasons.
- Use después de + infinitive when the subject is the same:
Después de leer, él salió. (He read, then he left – same subject 'él')
Translation hint: After reading, he left.
- Use después de que + conjugated verb when the subject might be different or you need a full clause:
Después de que él leyó, yo salí. (He read, then I left – different subjects 'él' and 'yo')
Translation hint: After he read, I left.
§ More examples of 'después de' in action
Here are a few more ways you'll hear 'después de' being used:
Siempre me siento cansado después de trabajar.
Translation hint: I always feel tired after working.
Volvemos a casa después de la medianoche.
Translation hint: We return home after midnight.
Hablaremos del plan después de la reunión.
Translation hint: We will talk about the plan after the meeting.
Mastering 'después de' is a big step in connecting events in your Spanish conversations. Keep practicing with both nouns and infinitive verbs, and you'll be using it naturally in no time!
Let's talk about después de. This simple phrase is super useful for talking about things that happen 'after' something else. It's really common, and once you get comfortable with it, you'll hear and use it all the time.
Think of después de as your go-to for sequencing events. Whether you're talking about your day, a project at work, or even something you heard on the news, 'después de' helps you put things in order.
- DEFINITION
- following in time or order
§ Basic Examples
Vamos a comer después de la reunión.
We're going to eat after the meeting.
Te llamo después de mi clase.
I'll call you after my class.
§ At Work
In a work setting, you'll constantly be using después de to schedule things, discuss tasks, and organize your day.
- Scheduling: Need to set up a meeting or a call?
Podemos discutir esto después de que termine la presentación.
We can discuss this after the presentation ends. (Note: 'después de que' is used when followed by a conjugated verb.)
- Task Management: Talking about what needs to happen next in a project.
Necesitamos revisar los datos después de compilar los resultados.
We need to review the data after compiling the results.
§ At School
School life is full of sequences! From your homework schedule to when classes are, después de is essential.
- Homework: Talking about your study routine.
Voy a estudiar matemáticas después de cenar.
I'm going to study math after dinner.
- Class Schedule: Describing your day at school.
Tenemos educación física después de la clase de historia.
We have physical education after history class.
§ In the News
News reporters and articles use después de all the time to explain the order of events in stories, whether it's about politics, natural disasters, or community events.
- Reporting Events: Explaining how a situation unfolded.
El presidente hizo una declaración después de la reunión de emergencia.
The president made a statement after the emergency meeting.
- Consequences: Discussing what happened as a result of a previous event.
Los residentes regresaron a sus hogares después de la evacuación.
Residents returned to their homes after the evacuation.
§ Understanding 'después de'
You want to talk about something happening after something else. In Spanish, 'después de' is a key phrase for this. It literally means 'after of', but it functions like our 'after'. It's super common, so mastering it will make your Spanish sound much more natural.
- Definition
- following in time or order
Think of 'después de' as your go-to for sequencing events. It can be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb (the basic form of the verb, like 'comer' or 'hablar').
§ Examples with Nouns
When you use 'después de' with a noun, it's pretty straightforward. It tells you what came next.
Vamos al cine después de la cena. (We go to the movies after dinner.)
Ella siempre bebe café después de su desayuno. (She always drinks coffee after her breakfast.)
§ Examples with Infinitives
This is where it gets really useful. When you want to say 'after doing something', you use 'después de' followed by the infinitive verb. You don't need to conjugate the verb.
Después de comer, lavamos los platos. (After eating, we wash the dishes.)
Él se relaja después de trabajar. (He relaxes after working.)
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
While 'después de' is your main tool for 'after', it's good to know some alternatives and when to use them. These aren't always direct substitutes, but they can express similar ideas of sequence.
- Luego: This means 'then' or 'later'. It's often used to connect actions in a sequence, but it doesn't take a direct object or infinitive like 'después de'.
Comí, luego fui a casa. (I ate, then I went home.)
Here, 'luego' connects two separate actions. You wouldn't say 'después de fui a casa' for this.
- Más tarde: This translates to 'later'. It's more about a general time in the future, not necessarily directly following a specific event.
Te llamo más tarde. (I'll call you later.)
You wouldn't use 'después de' here because there's no specific event it's following.
- Tras: This is a more formal or literary word for 'after' or 'behind'. While it can sometimes be a synonym for 'después de' in certain contexts, it's not as commonly used in everyday speech for sequencing events.
El sol sale tras las montañas. (The sun rises behind the mountains.)
In this example, 'tras' means 'behind'. You might also see it in phrases like 'tras la guerra' (after the war), but 'después de la guerra' is much more common.
Pronunciation Guide
- pronouncing 's' as 'z'
- not rolling the 'r' if present in similar words
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
When 'después de' is followed by an infinitive verb, the infinitive should be used directly after 'de' without any additional prepositions.
Después de comer, vamos al cine. (After eating, we're going to the movies.)
'Después de' can introduce a noun or pronoun to indicate a sequence of events.
Después de la escuela, haré mi tarea. (After school, I will do my homework.)
When 'después de' introduces a clause, it is often followed by 'que' and then a conjugated verb.
Después de que terminó el trabajo, se fue a casa. (After he finished work, he went home.)
'Después de' can be used to express a delayed action or a consequence.
Después de mucho pensarlo, decidí no ir. (After thinking about it a lot, I decided not to go.)
It is common to use 'después de' with time expressions to specify a period after something.
Después de dos horas, llegaron. (After two hours, they arrived.)
Examples by Level
Después de la cena, me gusta dar un paseo.
After dinner, I like to take a walk.
Llámame después de que termines tu trabajo.
Call me after you finish your work.
Notice the use of 'que' after 'después de' when followed by a verb in a dependent clause.
Ella siempre estudia después de clases.
She always studies after classes.
Después de unos días, te sentirás mejor.
After a few days, you will feel better.
Llegaron a la estación después de la salida del tren.
They arrived at the station after the train's departure.
Siempre se cepilla los dientes después de cada comida.
He always brushes his teeth after every meal.
Después de leer el libro, quiero ver la película.
After reading the book, I want to see the movie.
When 'después de' is followed by an infinitive, no 'que' is needed.
Caminamos por el parque después de la lluvia.
We walked through the park after the rain.
Después de la tormenta, siempre sale el sol.
After the storm, the sun always comes out.
Llámame después de que termines tu trabajo.
Call me after you finish your work.
Subjunctive used after 'después de que' when referring to a future event.
Iremos al cine después de cenar.
We will go to the cinema after dinner.
When followed by an infinitive, 'después de' means 'after doing something'.
Después de tanto esfuerzo, lograron su objetivo.
After so much effort, they achieved their goal.
Me siento mucho mejor después de tomar la medicina.
I feel much better after taking the medicine.
La reunión se pospuso para después de las vacaciones.
The meeting was postponed until after the holidays.
Después de revisar los datos, tomaremos una decisión.
After reviewing the data, we will make a decision.
Siempre hay un tiempo de reflexión después de un gran cambio.
There is always a time for reflection after a big change.
Often Confused With
While both indicate sequence, 'después de' is 'after something,' and 'luego' is more like 'then' or 'next' in a general sequence of events.
The key difference is the 'de'. 'Después de' is a prepositional phrase (after + noun/pronoun/infinitive), while 'después' alone is an adverb (afterwards).
'Tras' is a more formal alternative to 'después de,' and can also mean 'behind' spatially. 'Después de' is more common for 'after' in everyday speech.
Easily Confused
'Después de' can be confusing because it directly translates to 'after of' in English, which isn't grammatically correct. Learners might struggle with when to use 'de' and when to omit it, or they might over-rely on a direct translation.
The key is to remember that 'después' (after) often requires 'de' when followed by a noun or pronoun, acting as a prepositional phrase meaning 'after something.' However, when 'después' is followed by a verb in the infinitive, it becomes 'después de + infinitive' meaning 'after doing something.'
Leo un libro después de cenar. (I read a book after dinner.) Vamos al parque después del trabajo. (We go to the park after work.)
'Luego' also means 'then' or 'after,' which can be confusing in relation to 'después de.' Learners might struggle with the nuances of when to use each.
'Luego' is more of a general adverb indicating sequence or consequence, meaning 'then' or 'next.' It doesn't typically require 'de' and is often used to connect actions in a narrative. 'Después de' specifically refers to 'after' a particular event or time.
Primero comemos, luego vemos una película. (First we eat, then we watch a movie.) Llegó tarde, luego se disculpó. (He arrived late, then he apologized.)
When 'después' is used without 'de,' it can be confusing as it still means 'after' or 'afterwards,' but the grammatical construction is different from 'después de.'
'Después' on its own functions as an adverb, similar to 'afterwards' in English. It often stands alone or modifies a verb, indicating that an action happens at a later time. 'Después de' is a prepositional phrase, requiring an object.
Vino después. (He came afterwards.) Nos vemos después. (See you later/afterwards.)
'Tras' is another word for 'after' or 'behind,' and its similarity in meaning to 'después de' can be a source of confusion, especially in formal contexts.
'Tras' is a more formal synonym for 'después de,' often used in written Spanish or more elevated speech. It can also mean 'behind' in a spatial sense, which 'después de' does not. While 'tras' can often be interchanged with 'después de' when meaning 'after,' 'después de' is more common in everyday conversation.
Tras la tormenta, salió el sol. (After the storm, the sun came out.) Tras él, llegó su hermano. (After him/Behind him, his brother arrived.)
'Desde' means 'since' or 'from,' and while distinct in meaning, its prepositional nature and association with time can sometimes lead to confusion with 'después de,' especially when learners are trying to express temporal relationships.
'Desde' indicates a starting point in time or space. It means 'from' or 'since.' 'Después de' indicates something happening *after* a specific point. They refer to different aspects of temporal sequencing.
Vivo aquí desde 2010. (I've lived here since 2010.) Desde el principio, supe la verdad. (From the beginning, I knew the truth.)
How to Use It
When you use después de, it's always followed by a noun or an infinitive verb (the base form of the verb, like 'trabajar' or 'comer'). Think of it as 'after [something]' or 'after [doing something]'.
A common mistake is to use a conjugated verb directly after después de. Remember, it needs to be an infinitive. For example, don't say 'después de ella come' (after she eats). Instead, say 'después de comer' (after eating). Another mistake is forgetting the 'de'. It's always 'después de', never just 'después' when you're talking about 'after something'.
Test Yourself 42 questions
Yo voy al supermercado ___ de mi trabajo. (I go to the supermarket ___ my job.)
The sentence indicates an action happening following work, so 'después' (after) is the correct choice.
Ella estudia ___ de la cena. (She studies ___ dinner.)
'después' means 'after', indicating she studies following dinner.
Nosotros caminamos ___ de la lluvia. (We walk ___ the rain.)
The action of walking happens following the rain, so 'después' is correct.
Los niños juegan ___ de la escuela. (The children play ___ school.)
The children play following school, so 'después' is the right word.
Ustedes comen postre ___ del plato principal. (You all eat dessert ___ the main course.)
Dessert is eaten following the main course. 'después' is the correct translation for 'after'.
Yo lavo los platos ___ de la comida. (I wash the dishes ___ the meal.)
The dishes are washed following the meal, making 'después' the correct choice.
After dinner, we walked along the beach.
He arrived after we had already started the movie.
I'll call you after my meeting.
Read this aloud:
Después de tanto trabajo, mereces un descanso.
Focus: des-PWES de TAN-to tra-BA-ho, me-RE-ses un des-KAN-so
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
¿Qué harás después de graduarte?
Focus: ke a-RAS des-PWES de gra-DUAR-te
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Siempre ordeno café después de comer.
Focus: siem-PRE or-DE-no ka-FE des-PWES de ko-MER
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The phrase 'después de' comes before the noun it modifies, in this case 'la clase'.
'Después de' is followed by an infinitive verb when there is no change of subject.
The phrase 'después de' precedes the event it refers to, which is 'la película'.
Choose the best translation for: 'We will meet after the meeting.'
'Después de' translates to 'after' and correctly indicates the timing of the meeting.
Which sentence correctly uses 'después de'?
'Después de' implies an action happening subsequent to another, which is correct here.
Select the sentence that means: 'After finishing work, I will go home.'
'Después de' correctly conveys the sequence of events.
The phrase 'después de' always means 'before' in Spanish.
'Después de' means 'after' or 'following in time or order,' not 'before'.
You can use 'después de' to indicate a sequence of events.
'Después de' is commonly used to express that one event occurs subsequent to another.
It is incorrect to use 'después de' with an infinitive verb (e.g., 'después de comer').
'Después de' followed by an infinitive is a very common and correct construction in Spanish.
Después de un análisis exhaustivo, llegamos a la conclusión de que la estrategia actual es ineficaz. ¿Qué alternativa sugiere el uso de 'después de'?
La frase 'a raíz de' es un sinónimo apropiado para 'después de' en este contexto, indicando una consecuencia o resultado posterior.
El gerente anunció su jubilación y, poco después de esto, la empresa experimentó una reestructuración significativa. ¿Cuál de las siguientes opciones expresa mejor la relación temporal entre los eventos?
'Después de esto' claramente indica que la reestructuración ocurrió en un momento posterior a la jubilación del gerente.
La investigación reveló, después de meses de arduo trabajo, que la hipótesis inicial era incorrecta. ¿Qué otra expresión podría sustituir a 'después de meses de arduo trabajo' sin cambiar el sentido?
'Tras' es un sinónimo directo de 'después de' y se usa comúnmente para indicar una secuencia temporal.
La frase 'después de todo' siempre implica una conclusión inesperada o sorprendente.
'Después de todo' se usa frecuentemente para introducir una conclusión que contrasta con lo que se esperaba o lo que se había dicho antes, lo que le da un matiz de sorpresa o revelación final.
Es incorrecto usar 'después de que' seguido de un subjuntivo cuando se refiere a un evento futuro.
Es correcto y de hecho necesario usar 'después de que' seguido de un subjuntivo cuando la acción futura expresada en la cláusula principal aún no ha ocurrido. Por ejemplo: 'Después de que termine el proyecto, iremos de vacaciones.'
Cuando 'después de' se utiliza con un infinitivo, siempre se refiere a una acción completada antes de la acción principal del verbo.
Sí, 'después de + infinitivo' indica que la acción del infinitivo ocurre y se completa antes de la acción del verbo principal. Por ejemplo: 'Después de comer, me fui a dormir.' (Primero comió, luego durmió).
The idiom 'Después de la tormenta siempre llega la calma' means 'After the storm, calm always arrives.'
Pay attention to the sequence of actions.
Listen for the cause and effect.
Read this aloud:
Después de tanto esfuerzo, es gratificante ver los resultados.
Focus: esfuerzo, gratificante
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Podemos discutir el siguiente paso después de que todos hayan presentado sus propuestas.
Focus: discutir, presentado
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Después de pensarlo detenidamente, he llegado a la conclusión de que necesitamos un cambio radical en nuestra estrategia.
Focus: detenidamente, radical
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
What arrives after the storm?
When will we see each other?
When did he leave?
Read this aloud:
Después de tanto esfuerzo, el éxito es inevitable.
Focus: des-PWES deh
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Después de terminar el proyecto, tomaremos un descanso.
Focus: des-PWES deh ter-mee-NAR
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ella siempre me llama después de la cena.
Focus: des-PWES deh LAH seh-NAH
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Example
Lávate las manos después de jugar.
Related Content
Related Phrases
More general words
a causa de
A2For the reason of; owing to.
a condición de que
B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
a dónde
A1To what place or destination?
a lo mejor
A2Maybe; perhaps.
a menos que
B1Unless.
a no ser que
B2Unless; should it not be that.
a pesar de
B1In spite of; despite.
a_pesar_de
B2In spite of; notwithstanding; despite.
a propósito
B2By the way, on purpose; incidentally; or intentionally.
a raíz de
B2As a result of; following directly from.
