Meaning
The time period immediately following a meal.
Cultural Background
It is common to ask 'Have you eaten?' as a greeting. {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu} is often the time when people relax and chat. Similar to the mainland, but often used in the context of visiting night markets after dinner. In Cantonese-speaking areas, the concept is the same, though the spoken dialect might use different words. Used in a multicultural context where Chinese, Malay, and English mix.
Word Order
Remember that time markers in Chinese usually come before the verb. {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu} is your time marker.
Don't add 'de'
Avoid saying '{吃|chī}{饭|fàn}的后'. It is grammatically incorrect.
Meaning
The time period immediately following a meal.
Word Order
Remember that time markers in Chinese usually come before the verb. {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu} is your time marker.
Don't add 'de'
Avoid saying '{吃|chī}{饭|fàn}的后'. It is grammatically incorrect.
Use with commas
In writing, a comma after {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu} makes your sentence much easier to read.
Health focus
Chinese people often talk about what to do after eating for health reasons. This phrase is key to those conversations.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
______，请喝水。
The phrase for 'after eating' is {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu}.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the correct sentence.
This is the standard word order for temporal adverbials in Chinese.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 我们什么时候去公园？ B: ______。
The question asks for a time, and 'after eating' is a logical answer.
Match the phrase with its meaning.
Match the following.
后 means after, 前 means before.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises______，请喝水。
The phrase for 'after eating' is {吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu}.
Choose the correct sentence.
This is the standard word order for temporal adverbials in Chinese.
A: 我们什么时候去公园？ B: ______。
The question asks for a time, and 'after eating' is a logical answer.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
后 means after, 前 means before.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it works for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
It is neutral and used in all contexts.
It is a direct collocation, not a possessive phrase.
No, that is incorrect word order.
'餐后' is more formal/literary.
It is recommended for clarity.
Yes, it is very common in casual texts.
Usually '饭' refers to a main meal, but it can be used for snacks too.
You can say '{吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{后|hòu}，八点钟...'
Yes, very frequently.
No, it specifically means after the act of eating.
No, it is a fixed time marker.
Related Phrases
{吃|chī}{饭|fàn}{前|qián}
contrastBefore eating
{吃|chī}{完|wán}{饭|fàn}
similarFinish eating
{餐|cān}{后|hòu}
specialized formAfter meal
{饭|fàn}{后|hòu}{百|bǎi}{步|bù}{走|zǒu}
builds onWalk 100 steps after a meal
