ㄴ/은 후에 (after) - After

This pattern attaches directly to the end of a verb stem. It turns a verb into a description for the word 후. In Korean, 후 literally means "after" or "later." By adding ㄴ or 은, you are describing that time. It is basically saying "at the time after doing X." You can use this for things that already happened. You can also use it for things that will happen later. The tense of the whole sentence usually comes at the very end. The ㄴ/은 후에 part stays the same regardless of the final tense. It is like a stable anchor in your sentence. Just focus on the action you finished first. Then add your next move after the comma. Even native speakers rely on this to keep their schedules straight!

1. 1First, find the dictionary form of the verb you want. Let's take 가다 (to go) and 먹다 (to eat).
2. 2Remove the 다 to get the verb stem: 가 and 먹.
3. 3Check if the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This is the golden rule of Korean grammar.
4. 4If the stem ends in a vowel (no batchim), add ㄴ 후에. So, 가 becomes 간 후에.
5. 5If the stem ends in a consonant (batchim), add 은 후에. So, 먹 becomes 먹은 후에.
6. 6Watch out for the sneaky ㄹ irregulars like 만들다 (to make). You must drop the ㄹ first before adding ㄴ 후에. It becomes 만든 후에.
7. 7For 하다 verbs, it is very easy. They all become 한 후에. For example, 공부한 후에 means "after studying."

Use this when the sequence of events really matters. It is perfect for giving directions to a lost tourist. "After you turn right at the bank, walk two blocks." You will also see this in every recipe ever written. "After boiling the water, add the noodles." It is essential for discussing your daily routine with friends. "After I finish work, let's grab some spicy rice cakes!" In a job interview, it shows you are organized. "After I graduated, I worked at a local startup." It works great for planning your travel itinerary too. "After we visit Gyeongbokgung, we can go to Bukchon." Basically, if step A must happen before step B, use this. It keeps your life from becoming a chaotic mess of events!

Don't use this grammar with adjectives most of the time. You wouldn't say "after being pretty" or "after being tall." It is specifically for actions that you can actually complete. Also, avoid using it when talking about a duration of time. If you want to say "after three hours," don't use this pattern. Instead, use the word 뒤에 or 후에 directly with the noun. For example, 세 시간 후에 is the correct way to go. Using a verb with it would sound very strange there. Another tricky spot is when two actions happen at the same time. If you are eating while watching TV, this is not your tool. This grammar is strictly for a 1-2 punch of sequential actions. It is a sequence builder, not a multi-tasking helper.

One big mistake is trying to put the past tense inside the pattern. You might feel tempted to say 먹었은 후에 to sound past-tense. Don't do it! That is like saying "after did ate." The ㄴ/은 part already implies the action is finished. Keep the stem simple and let the final verb handle the tense. Another classic error is forgetting the ㄹ drop rule. Saying 만들은 후에 will make your Korean teacher's eye twitch slightly. Remember, the ㄹ is shy and runs away when ㄴ arrives. Also, be careful not to confuse it with 기 전에. That means "before," which is the exact opposite of what we want. Mixing those up could lead to some very confusing lunch dates. Check your sequence twice before you speak!

You might hear people say ㄴ/은 다음에 or ㄴ/은 뒤에. Honestly, they are almost exactly the same as ㄴ/은 후에. You can swap them out in most daily conversations without worry. 후에 feels a tiny bit more formal than 다음에. Think of 다음에 as the "next" version and 후에 as the "after" version. There is also the pattern 고 나서. This one emphasizes that the first action is totally finished. It is like saying "after completely finishing X." Use 고 나서 if you want to be extra clear about the transition. If you are just being casual, ㄴ 후에 is usually your best bet. It is the "jeans and t-shirt" of sequential grammar patterns. It fits almost every occasion perfectly.