Key HSK Vocabulary
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 守护 | shǒu hù | guard, defend | HSK 7 | |
| 细心 | xì xīn | careful, attentive | HSK 7 | |
| 庆幸 | qìng xìng | to rejoice, to be glad | HSK 7 | |
| 曲折 | qū zhé | winding, tortuous | HSK 7 | |
| 收藏 | shōu cáng | collect, store up | HSK 6 | |
| 回头 | huí tóu | turn round, turn one's head | HSK 5 | |
| 回忆 | huí yì | recollect, recall | HSK 5 | |
| 珍贵 | zhēn guì | rare, valuable | HSK 5 | |
| 或是 | huò shì | or | HSK 5 | |
| 微笑 | wēi xiào | smile | HSK 4 | |
| 似乎 | sì hū | it seems, as if | HSK 4 | |
| 未来 | wèi lái | future, tomorrow | HSK 4 | |
| 代替 | dài tì | replace, substitite for | HSK 4 | |
| 泪水 | lèi shuǐ | tear, teardrop | HSK 4 | |
| 无论 | wú lùn | no matter what, no matter how | HSK 4 | |
| 依然 | yī rán | still, as before | HSK 4 | |
| 期待 | qī dài | await, expect | HSK 4 | |
| 就是 | jiù shì | exactly, precisely | HSK 3 | |
| 前进 | qián jìn | march, advance | HSK 3 | |
| 幸福 | xìng fú | happiness, well being | HSK 3 |
Grammar Notes
除了星期天，我每天都要去学校。
Chúle Xīngqītiān, wǒ měitiān dōu yào qù xuéxiào.
Except for Sundays, I have to go to school every day.
无论发生什么事，我都会支持你。
Wúlùn fāshēng shénme shì, wǒ dōu huì zhīchí nǐ.
No matter what happens, I will always support you.
工作再忙，他也要抽空锻炼身体。
Gōngzuò zài máng, tā yě yào chōukòng duànliàn shēntǐ.
No matter how busy work is, he still makes time to exercise.
也许他迷路了，也许他忘了我们的约定。
Yěxǔ tā mílù le, yěxǔ tā wàngle wǒmen de yuēdìng.
Maybe he got lost, or maybe he forgot our appointment.
We all carry a mental gallery of the people we used to love, wondering how they are doing in a future that no longer includes us. It is this universal, bittersweet ache of "what could have been" that powers "後來的我們" (Here, After, Us), a melancholic masterpiece by the legendary Taiwanese rock band Mayday. Formed in 1997, Mayday—comprising Ashin, Monster, Stone, Masa, and Ming—is widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in the Mandopop industry. Celebrated for their deeply poetic lyrics and energetic live performances, this powerhouse has won numerous Golden Melody Awards and built a massive global fanbase over their decades-long career, proving that true emotional vulnerability transcends all borders.
For language learners, "後來的我們" offers a profound and resonant path to learn Chinese. Beyond its sweeping rock-ballad melodies, the song is a treasure trove of authentic Mandarin vocabulary, poetic metaphors, and raw, conversational expressions about regret and hope. By exploring these bittersweet lyrics, you won't just memorize vocabulary—you will connect with the language on a soul-deep level, making your Mandarin-learning journey as unforgettable as your first heartbreak.
Quick Info
| Song Name | 後來的我們 (Here, After, Us) |
| Artist | Mayday |
| Original Singer | Original |
| Release Year | 2016 |
| Duration | 05:44 |
The Story Behind the Song
Eight years after agonizing over a sudden wave of longing in "Suddenly I Miss You So Bad," Mayday’s Ashin returned in 2016 to deliver a mature, devastatingly beautiful resolution. "Here, After, Us" is not a lament of lost love, but a sacred monument to it. It captures the quiet, earth-shattering moment of realizing that loving someone sometimes means gracefully letting them go into a future where you no longer belong.
For a generation raised on Mandopop, this anthem represents the ultimate emotional evolution—transforming bitter heartbreak into profound gratitude. As Ashin's vocals soar, the song transforms parting from a tragedy into a blessing, wishing the other person a beautiful life ahead. It is a masterclass in emotional resilience, proving that even when paths diverge, the love we once shared remains our most luminous guide.
✨ Lyrical Highlights
只期待 後來的你 能快樂 / 那就是 後來的我 最想的
Zhǐ qīdài hòulái de nǐ néng kuàilè / Nà jiùshì hòulái de wǒ zuì xiǎng de
I only hope that you, in the future, can be happy / That is what I, in the future, desire the mostThis line captures the ultimate, selfless form of love born from acceptance and maturity. By prioritizing the other person's future happiness over the pain of their separation, the speaker transforms heartbreak into a profound, enduring blessing. It beautifully illustrates the song’s core theme of letting go of a past lover with grace and sincere goodwill.
無論是 後來故事 怎麼了 / 也要讓 後來的我們 值得
Wúlùn shì hòulái gùshì zěnme le / Yě yào ràng hòulái de wǒmen zhídé
No matter how the story ends hereafter / We must make the future "us" worth itThis lyric shifts the narrative from the sorrow of parting to an empowering promise of personal growth. It suggests that even if their shared journey has ended, the love they once possessed should inspire both individuals to live meaningful lives apart. It encapsulates the bittersweet resolution of moving forward, ensuring that their past love was not in vain.