Explanation of “بعد” and “بعد ذلك”
The words “بعد” (ba‘da) and “بعد ذلك” (ba‘da dhālika) can sometimes cause confusion in translation between English and Arabic due to differences in usage.
1. “بعد”:
Used as a preposition meaning “after a specific time or event.”
2. “بعد ذلك”:
Used as an adverb meaning “afterwards” or “subsequently.”
Examples of Usage:
• “The accident happened after his arrival.”
حَصَلَ الحادِثُ بَعْدَ وُصُولِهِ.
• “When will he meet you? Before the meeting or afterwards?”
مَتى سَيُقابِلُكَ؟ قَبْلَ الإجْتِماعِ أم بَعْدَهُ؟
• “I’ll see you afterwards.”
سَأَرَاكَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.
• “Afterwards, we spent two weeks in the capital.”
بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ، أَمْضَيْنا أُسْبُوعَيْنِ فِي العاصِمَةِ.
Note:
In some cases, “بعد” is used in Arabic where English would use “in.”
• “We will go there in two hours’ time.”
سَنَذْهَبُ إِلى هُناكَ بَعْدَ سَاعَتَيْنِ.
In simple terms:
• “بعد” refers to a specific later time.
• “بعد ذلك” is used to indicate a sequence of events or something happening subsequently.