Learn Hardcore Chinese: yǐhòu wǒmen zài shuō ba.

It means an unspecified future time: “later/on some future occasion.” Without a time anchor (e.g., “after class”), 以后 is vague and depends on context.

Why is 再 (zài) used before 说? What does it add?

再 means “again/another time (in the future).” 再说 here means “talk again (later),” emphasizing postponement to a later time rather than right now.

What’s the difference between 再 and 又?

再 = “again” for the future or hypothetical: 我们明天再见 (“Let’s meet again tomorrow”).
又 = “again” for the past or things that have already happened: 他又迟到了 (“He was late again”). So in “talk later,” you need 再, not 又.

What does the particle 吧 (ba) do here?

吧 softens the tone and makes it a suggestion/proposal: “Let’s talk later” rather than a blunt command. It also helps it function as a polite deferral.

Does 我们 (wǒmen) here mean “we” or “let’s”?

Both. In Chinese, 我们 can include the listener and often functions like English “let’s,” especially with 吧: 我们…吧 ≈ “Let’s …”

Is this phrase a polite way to refuse or delay a decision?

Often, yes. 以后我们再说吧 can be a gentle postponement and sometimes an indirect “not now” or even “probably no” depending on tone and context.

Can I drop the subject and just say 以后再说吧?

Yes. It’s very common and natural. The subject (“we”) is understood from context.

What happens if I remove 吧 and say 以后我们再说?

It becomes more direct/firm, closer to an instruction: “We’ll talk later.” Adding 吧 makes it sound friendlier and less commanding.

Can I say 以后说吧 without 再?

You’ll hear it, but the most idiomatic postponing expression is 以后再说. 以后说 can sound less natural or may mean simply “speak in the future” without the familiar set-phrase feel.

Where can 以后 go in the sentence? Are all of these okay: 以后我们再说吧, 我们以后再说吧, 以后再说吧?

All three are natural:

以后我们再说吧 (time first for emphasis),
我们以后再说吧 (subject first),
以后再说吧 (elliptical, very common). Word order mainly affects emphasis, not meaning.

Does 说 (shuō) here mean “say,” “talk,” or “discuss”? Why is there no object?

说 in this context means “talk/discuss.” The object (e.g., “this matter”) is understood from context. You can specify: 这件事我们以后再说吧 (“Let’s talk about this matter later”).

How does 再说 avoid confusion with the linking word 再说 meaning “besides, moreover”?

When 再说 is followed by 吧 and used as a predicate (to talk later), it means “talk later.” As a connector meaning “besides,” 再说 links clauses: 我不想去，再说也太远了 (“I don’t want to go; besides, it’s too far.”). Context and structure disambiguate.

What’s the difference between 以后 and 之后 (zhīhòu) here?

以后 can mean “later/in the future” by itself.
之后 is more often “after (that/this time)” and sounds a bit more formal; used with a reference point: 比赛之后我们再说吧 (“After the game, let’s talk”). For a stand-alone “later,” 以后 is more natural.

If I want “later today” or “in a bit,” what alternatives are more specific?

Very soon: 等会儿再说吧, 一会儿再说吧
Later today/soon-ish: 等下再说吧 (casual), 待会儿再说吧
Another day: 改天再说吧
Sometime later: 回头再说吧 (colloquial)

Is 以后 ever placed at the end to mean “from now on”?

Yes, with a starting point word: 从现在起/从今以后 (“from now on”). But bare …以后 at the very end is not used to mean “later”; sentence-initial or pre-verbal is preferred for “later.”

Any register or politeness notes?

Neutral and widely usable. In sensitive contexts, it can imply postponement without commitment. Add softeners if needed: 这件事我们以后再说吧，好吗？

What are casual/formal synonyms for 说 here?

Casual: 聊 (聊聊), e.g., 以后再聊吧 (“Let’s chat later.”)
More formal: 谈 (谈一谈), e.g., 以后再谈吧 (“Let’s discuss later.”) Choose based on tone and setting.

Pronunciation check?

以后 yǐhòu (3-4)
我们 wǒmen (3–neutral)
再 zài (4)
说 shuō (1)
吧 ba (neutral)