事后

事後

shìhòu

noun/adverb HSK 6 #8,708

Meanings

1 after the event; afterwards
2 in hindsight; after the fact

Characters

event; matter; affair

After the event — looking back on something that already happened.

Examples

事后他才意识到自己的错误。

Shìhòu tā cái yìshí dào zìjǐ de cuòwù.

Only afterwards did he realize his mistake.

事后看来，那个决定是对的。

Shìhòu kàn lái, nàge juédìng shì duì de.

In hindsight, that decision was correct.

事后诸葛亮谁都会当。

Shìhòu Zhūgě Liàng shéi dōu huì dāng.

Anyone can be a Monday morning quarterback. (Lit: Everyone can be Zhuge Liang after the fact.)

Tips

culture

事后诸葛亮 (shìhòu Zhūgě Liàng) is a common saying meaning 'hindsight is 20/20.' Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮) was the legendary strategist from the Three Kingdoms period, famous for his brilliant foresight. Being a 'Zhuge Liang after the fact' means it's easy to be wise when looking back.

usage

Contrast with 事先 (shìxiān, beforehand) and 事中 (shìzhōng, during the event). 事先 and 事后 are the most commonly used pair.

Stroke Order

事 shì

后 hòu