When talking about when something happens, "以后" (yǐhòu) and "的时候" (de shíhou) are often used. They can both be translated as "when", but their meanings are different, so they can't be used in situations you might expect them to be used in. Take a look at this article if you want to figure it out!

Structure

The complicated thing about "以后" and "的时候" is that they both appear in the same place in the sentence. That is, after the verb.

The difference comes in what they actually mean with what you're saying.

以后

"以后" technically means after, so it is used after the action is completed. This can be seen as a way of saying "When you are done (verb)ing".

Examples

Xià bān yǐ hòu wǒ men yì qǐ qù chī fàn。
下班 以后 我们 一起 去 吃饭。
After work, we're going to go eat together.

的时候

"的时候" means "when" in the sense of during an action. For example, "when you play ball" can be seen as "when you are playing ball." It is this sort of difference that can make "以后" and "的时候" so complicated.

Examples

Chī fàn de shí hou kàn diàn shì rónɡ yì zhǎnɡ pànɡ 。
吃饭 的时候 看 电视 容易 长胖。
Watching TV while you eat can make you fat easily.

"的时候" is also similar to using the 一边 structure. However, "一边" uses two conscious actions that you do, whereas "的时候" can use sub-conscious or unexpected actions.


Similar Usage

Now we get to a really confusing part! There are instances where both "以后" and "的时候" could work and still mean the same thing. These are times when there isn't really a duration, it just happens in an instant. For example, "When you see her". This means "As soon as you see her" so there is only one point where you first see a person. In this case, you can use either one.