Breakdown of xuǎnzé xǐyīchéngxù yǐhòu, xǐyījī kāishǐ tuōshuǐ.
以后yǐhòu
after
选择xuǎnzé
to choose
开始kāishǐ
to start
洗衣机xǐyījī
washing machine
Questions & Answers about xuǎnzé xǐyīchéngxù yǐhòu, xǐyījī kāishǐ tuōshuǐ.
What is the basic structure of this sentence?
The sentence breaks into two main parts:
选择洗衣程序以后 = after selecting the washing program
洗衣机开始脱水 = the washing machine starts spin-drying
So the structure is:
[time/event clause] + [main clause]
This is a very common Chinese pattern: [something happens] 以后, [something else happens]
Why does 以后 come after 选择洗衣程序 instead of before it?
When 以后 means after, it usually comes after the action or event it refers to.
So:
- 选择洗衣程序以后 = after selecting the washing program
This is different from English, where after usually comes before the action:
- English: after selecting the washing program
- Chinese: select washing program + after
Common pattern:
- 吃饭以后 = after eating
- 下课以后 = after class ends
- 回家以后 = after going home
Can 以后 here be replaced by 后?