…之余
besides; in the time left over from; along with (a feeling)
Structure
动词／名词 之余 ， （主语）还／也 …
What it means
“What is left over from”: after an activity it is the spare time around it; after a feeling it means “as well as feeling that”, with a second feeling or action to follow.
How it is built
Short verb or noun + 之余，(subject) + 还／也 + …: 工作之余，他喜欢去郊外钓鱼 (In his time off work he likes to go fishing); 感动之余，她也有点儿不好意思.
When to use it
Written and compact, so it follows a short verb or noun, not a long clause. Unlike plain 之后 (after), 之余 is alongside or on top of something.
Watch out
It goes after the word, never in front: ✗之余工作 ✓工作之余. Do not treat it as plain 之后.
Examples
工作之余，他喜欢去郊外钓鱼。
In his time off work he likes to go fishing outside the city.
避暑之余，游客还可以泡泡温泉、尝尝特产。
Besides escaping the heat, visitors can soak in a hot spring and try the local specialities.
感动之余，她也有点儿不好意思。
Moved as she was, she also felt a little embarrassed.
Learn this in Lesson 143 · HSK 7–9: 去哪儿避暑 (Escaping the summer heat)
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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