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March 24, 2026
后(後)hòu(Hou4)
The character 后 (hòu) has multiple meanings, including 'behind,' 'after,' and 'empress.' It is commonly used to describe positions in time or space, as well as in contexts related to royalty, particularly in reference to female rulers or queens.
Strokes6Radical口Frequency#189DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
The concept of 后 is deeply embedded in Chinese imperial history, where empresses played crucial roles in dynastic succession and governance. The term often evokes images of powerful female figures in Chinese culture, as well as the importance of lineage.
Memory Tip
Imagine a majestic queen standing behind her throne, symbolizing both her royal status and the concept of being 'after' in a line of succession. The character 后 resembles a person with a flowing robe (the top part) and a base (the bottom part), representing stability and authority.
Meanings of 后
hòu(Hou4)
1empress
2queen
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 后
后Simplified
後Traditional
6Strokes
口Radical
方位词direction word (dir.)Part of Speech
#189Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1YCTL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 后
Podcast: 后
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AI Study Notes for 后
Quick Contrast
后 (hòu) vs 之后 (zhīhòu) — use 后 for a more direct or immediate sense of 'after,' while 之后 implies a subsequent point in time or a more formal context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a majestic queen standing behind her throne, symbolizing both her royal status and the concept of being 'after' in a line of succession. The character 后 resembles a person with a flowing robe (the top part) and a base (the bottom part), representing stability and authority.
Usage Notes
后 is often mistakenly used interchangeably with 之前 (zhīqián), meaning 'before.' Remember that 后 refers specifically to things that come after or are located behind something else. In formal contexts, it can denote lineage, while in casual conversation, it often describes time and position.
HSK Study Tips
Though 后 is not an HSK level word, it connects well to HSK 1-2 vocabulary related to time and position, like 现在 (xiànzài, 'now') and 前 (qián, 'before'). Focus on using it in temporal phrases to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
The concept of 后 is deeply embedded in Chinese imperial history, where empresses played crucial roles in dynastic succession and governance. The term often evokes images of powerful female figures in Chinese culture, as well as the importance of lineage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 后 with 前 (qián), mistakenly using it to refer to something that comes before, e.g., saying '我后去商店' (wǒ hòu qù shāngdiàn) instead of '我前去商店' (wǒ qián qù shāngdiàn). Always remember that 后 indicates 'after' or 'behind.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 后
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后 (empress) and its mirror image 司 (take charge) were originally used interchangeably. The origin of both characters is unclear. In simplified Chinese 后 is also used to mean "after, behind", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with
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Grammar Patterns of 后
后 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
When the chairman of Campbell's retired, McGovern was named as his successor.
10
它挠得我后脖梗儿的绒毛直痒痒。
tā náo dé wǒ hòu bó gěng ér de róng máo zhí yǎng yǎng。
It tickled the hairs on the back of my neck.
11
我的朋友姓后，他来自北京。
Wǒ de péngyǒu xìng Hòu, tā láizì Běijīng.
My friend's surname is Hou, and he is from Beijing.
12
后先生是一位老师。
Hòu xiānshēng shì yī wèi lǎoshī.
Mr. Hou is a teacher.
13
她的中文老师姓后。
Tā de zhōngwén lǎoshī xìng Hòu.
Her Chinese teacher's surname is Hou.
14
我认识一个姓后的小朋友。
Wǒ rènshì yīgè xìng Hòu de xiǎo péngyǒu.
I know a little friend whose surname is Hou.
15
我的邻居姓后，他很喜欢运动。
Wǒ de línjū xìng Hòu, tā hěn xǐhuān yùndòng.
My neighbor's surname is Hou, and he really likes sports.
16
后小姐是我的好朋友。
Hòu xiǎojiě shì wǒ de hǎo péngyǒu.
Miss Hou is my good friend.
Cultural Notes for 后
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 后 is deeply embedded in Chinese imperial history, where empresses played crucial roles in dynastic succession and governance. The term often evokes images of powerful female figures in Chinese culture, as well as the importance of lineage.
Word Family of 后
Compounds15
逅hou4to meet unexpectedly
垢gou4dirt, filth, stains; dirty; disgraceful
诟gou4to abuse, to scold; to berate, to insult
垕
姤
郈
骺hou2epiphysis; the tip of a long bone
鲘
劶
洉
缿
茩
詬gou4to abuse, to scold; to berate, to insult
銗
鮜
Words Containing This Character20
后hòuback後
然后ránhòuafter然後
最后zuìhòufinal最後
之后zhīhòuafterwards之後
以后yǐhòuafter以後
后面hòumiànrear後面
后来hòuláilater後來
随后suíhòusoon after隨後
今后jīnhòuhereafter今後
背后bèihòubehind背後
后悔hòuhuǐto regret後悔
先后xiānhòupriority先後
后果hòuguǒconsequences後果
落后luòhòuto fall behind落後
身后posthumous身後
前后qiánhòuaround前後
此后cǐhòuafter this此後
后者hòuzhěthe latter後者
皇后huánghòuempress
过后guòhòuafter the event過後
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 逅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 后
No, while 后 can refer to an empress or queen, it is also commonly used to mean 'behind' or 'after' in everyday language.
Yes, 后 is frequently used to indicate something that occurs after a certain point in time, such as 在后天 (zài hòutiān, 'the day after tomorrow').
