Learn Hardcore Chinese: zìcóng tā zuò zhìyuànzhě yǐhòu, chángcháng cānjiā gōngyì huódòng. - Ever since she became a volunteer, she has often taken part in public-welfare events.

Word

自从　她　做　志愿者　以后，　常常　参加　公益　活动。zìcóng tā zuò zhìyuànzhě yǐhòu, chángcháng cānjiā gōngyì huódòng.

Meaning

Ever since she became a volunteer, she has often taken part in public-welfare events.

Part of speech

sentence

Pronunciation

Course

Lesson

Breakdown of zìcóng tā zuò zhìyuànzhě yǐhòu, chángcháng cānjiā gōngyì huódòng.

What does 自从...以后 mean, and why are both words used?

This is a very common time pattern in Mandarin.

Together, 自从...以后 means ever since... or since...

So:

自从她做志愿者以后 = ever since she started being a volunteer / ever since she became a volunteer

Using both is normal and sounds natural. Mandarin often uses this kind of paired structure for clarity.

Can I omit either 自从 or 以后?

Often, yes.

You may hear:

But there is a slight difference:

So the full version is very natural, especially when describing a continuing change in behavior.

Why is there no 她 after the comma?