What does "después de" mean?
The phrase "después de" translates to "after" or "following." It is used to indicate that something occurs at a later time than a reference point. It can be used both literally to describe time and figuratively to describe sequence or consequence. It is a fundamental temporal expression in everyday Spanish.
Examples
1.
Desayuné después de levantarme.
I had breakfast after getting up. (presente de indicativo)
I had breakfast after getting up. (presente de indicativo)
2.
¿Qué harás después de terminar el trabajo?
What will you do after finishing work? (presente de indicativo — question)
What will you do after finishing work? (presente de indicativo — question)
3.
De niño, siempre jugaba después de hacer los deberes.
As a child, I always played after doing my homework. (imperfecto de indicativo)
As a child, I always played after doing my homework. (imperfecto de indicativo)
4.
Se fue después de que todos habían salido.
He left after everyone had gone out. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
He left after everyone had gone out. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
5.
Llegaré después de la reunión.
I will arrive after the meeting. (futuro)
I will arrive after the meeting. (futuro)
6.
Yo habría salido después de ti si no hubiera llovido.
I would have left after you if it hadn't rained. (potencial compuesto)
I would have left after you if it hadn't rained. (potencial compuesto)
7.
No creo que llegue después de las ocho.
I don't think he/she will arrive after eight o'clock. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think he/she will arrive after eight o'clock. (presente de subjuntivo)
8.
Me pidió que no llegara después de medianoche.
She asked me not to arrive after midnight. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She asked me not to arrive after midnight. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
9.
¿Has visto a alguien después de la fiesta?
Have you seen anyone after the party? (perfecto de indicativo)
Have you seen anyone after the party? (perfecto de indicativo)
10.
Cuando llegó el tren, ya había salido después de las cinco.
When the train arrived, it had already left after five. (pretérito anterior)
When the train arrived, it had already left after five. (pretérito anterior)
11.
Después de cenar, siempre damos un paseo.
After dinner, we always go for a walk. (presente de indicativo)
After dinner, we always go for a walk. (presente de indicativo)
12.
Para cuando llegues, ya habré terminado después de las clases.
By the time you arrive, I will have finished after classes. (futuro perfecto)
By the time you arrive, I will have finished after classes. (futuro perfecto)
13.
No saldríamos después de anochecer.
We wouldn't go out after dark. (condicional simple)
We wouldn't go out after dark. (condicional simple)
14.
Dudo que llegue después de lo prometido.
I doubt he/she will arrive after the promised time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
I doubt he/she will arrive after the promised time. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
Si hubiera sabido que llegaría tarde, habría esperado después de las ocho.
If I had known he/she would arrive late, I would have waited after eight. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If I had known he/she would arrive late, I would have waited after eight. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)