……，此后……
after that; from then on (in narrative)
Structure
过去的事 ， 此后 （时间段） 后来的情况
What it means
此 means “this”, so 此后 is “after this”: it points back to an event already told and opens the next stage of a story.
How it is built
Past event，此后 (+ span) + later situation: 2010年他去了深圳，此后再也没有回过老家 (he went to Shenzhen in 2010 and has never been back since). Often: 此后三年, 此后不久, 此后一直….
When to use it
Narrative and a little written. 以后 can follow a clause directly (毕业以后); 此后 cannot. 从此 stresses a lasting change: 从此再也不….
Watch out
It only looks back from a past event: ✗ 此后我要多锻炼。 ✓ 今后我要多锻炼。 For “from now on” use 今后 or 以后.
Examples
刘邦接受了封号，此后又用了四年时间，与项羽争天下。
Liu Bang accepted the title, and after that spent four years fighting Xiang Yu for the empire.
2010年他去了深圳，此后再也没有回过老家。
He went to Shenzhen in 2010 and has never been back home since.
这家店三年前换了老板，此后生意一天不如一天。
This shop changed hands three years ago, and since then business has gone from bad to worse.
Learn this in Lesson 87 · HSK 6–7: 汉：一个朝代的名字 (The Han: a dynasty that named a people)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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