después de que
Lemma Details
Translation: after; once; after that
Part of Speech: conjunction
Etymology: This conjunction is composed of three elements: 'después' (after), 'de' (of), and 'que' (that). 'Después' comes from Latin 'de' + 'post' meaning 'after' or 'later'. The construction forms a temporal conjunction that introduces subordinate clauses indicating an action that happens subsequent to the main clause.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'después' as 'de' (from) + 'post' (after) to remember it means 'after'
- The structure 'después de que' follows the pattern of many Spanish temporal conjunctions that use 'que' to introduce a clause
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This conjunction is widely used in both written and spoken Spanish. It's important to note that in many Spanish-speaking regions, 'después que' (without 'de') is also commonly used in informal speech, though 'después de que' is considered more correct in formal writing.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Después que' omits the preposition 'de' and is considered less formal or correct in standard Spanish, though it's common in colloquial speech in many regions.
This word:
Después de que terminó la reunión, todos se fueron.
After the meeting ended, everyone left.
Confused word:
Después que terminó la reunión, todos se fueron.
After the meeting ended, everyone left.
Notes: Both forms express the same meaning, but 'después de que' is preferred in formal contexts and writing.
Mnemonic: Remember that formal written Spanish includes the 'de': 'después DE que'
Explanation: 'Después de' is a preposition that must be followed by a noun or infinitive, while 'después de que' is a conjunction that introduces a clause with a conjugated verb.
This word:
Después de que llegó Juan, empezamos la fiesta.
After Juan arrived, we started the party.
Confused word:
Después de la llegada de Juan, empezamos la fiesta.
After Juan's arrival, we started the party.
Notes: 'Después de' is followed by nouns or infinitives, while 'después de que' introduces clauses with conjugated verbs.
Mnemonic: If you need a conjugated verb after 'después', use 'después de que'