Easy Korean - Level 3, Unit 19: After -ing (-(으)ㄴ 다음에 / 후에 / 뒤에)

In Unit 10, we learned how to say "Before -ing" (-기 전에). In this unit, we will learn the opposite: "After -ing."

There are three common words for "after" or "later" in Korean: * 다음 (da-eum) = next * 후 (hu) = after * 뒤 (dwi) = behind / back

They are all interchangeable when used in this grammar point! You attach 에 (e) to them: 다음에, 후에, or 뒤에.

Structure: Verb Stem + -(으)ㄴ 다음에/후에/뒤에

Just like we used -(으)ㄴ to modify nouns in the past tense (Unit 9), we use it here to mean "the time after the action has happened."

1. Verb stem ends in a VOWEL: Add -ㄴ 다음에 * 하다 (to do) -> 하 + ㄴ = 한 -> 한 다음에 (after doing) * 가다 (to go) -> 가 + ㄴ = 간 -> 간 후에 (after going)

2. Verb stem ends in a CONSONANT: Add -은 다음에 * 먹다 (to eat) -> 먹 + 은 = 먹은 -> 먹은 뒤에 (after eating) * 읽다 (to read) -> 읽 + 은 = 읽은 -> 읽은 다음에 (after reading)

Note: If the verb stem ends in ㄹ, drop the ㄹ and add -ㄴ. (e.g., 만들다 -> 만든 다음에)

Noun + 후에 / 뒤에 / 다음에

If you are just using a noun, you don't need the -(으)ㄴ part. Just place the word directly after the noun.

• 수업 (class) -> 수업 후에 (after class)
• 식사 (meal) -> 식사 다음에 (after the meal)
• 3년 (3 years) -> 3년 뒤에 (3 years later / after 3 years)

Example Sentences

1. 숙제를 한 다음에 텔레비전을 봤어요. (I watched TV after doing my homework.)
2. 밥을 먹은 후에 약을 드세요. (Please take the medicine after eating a meal.)
3. 손을 씻은 뒤에 요리를 할게요. (I will cook after washing my hands.)
4. 퇴근 후에 만납시다. (Let's meet after getting off work.)